Firefighters
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
Median pay: $59,280/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +3.4% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 27,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
• Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
• Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
• Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
• Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
• Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.
• Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
• Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.
What's the median pay for Firefighters?
The median pay for Firefighters is $59,280 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Firefighters?
Employment for Firefighters is projected to change +3.4% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Firefighters?
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
How many job openings are there each year for Firefighters?
About 27,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.