How to Become a Firefighter
Firefighters earn a median salary of $59,280/year in the United States. Most positions require Postsecondary nondegree award. Job growth is projected at 4% over the next decade. The highest-paying states include New York, Washington, California.
Where Firefighters have the most money left over after rent
Median pay minus estimated federal + state + FICA taxes, minus 12 months of rent at HUD's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent. Darker green means more money left over each year. Hover any state for the breakdown.
View map data as a table
| State | Median (nominal) | Rent/mo (2BR) | Left after rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $95K | $1,830 | $53K |
| New York | $101K | $1,917 | $51K |
| Illinois | $78K | $1,407 | $43K |
| Pennsylvania | $73K | $1,351 | $42K |
| New Jersey | $84K | $2,067 | $40K |
| Connecticut | $78K | $1,679 | $39K |
| Indiana | $63K | $1,144 | $37K |
| Nevada | $67K | $1,501 | $37K |
| Wyoming | $58K | $1,008 | $37K |
| Maryland | $74K | $1,795 | $35K |
| Nebraska | $61K | $1,113 | $35K |
| Ohio | $59K | $1,188 | $35K |
| Rhode Island | $67K | $1,544 | $35K |
| California | $85K | $2,471 | $35K |
| Colorado | $74K | $1,832 | $35K |
| Montana | $59K | $1,129 | $34K |
| Oregon | $71K | $1,555 | $34K |
| North Dakota | $55K | $1,034 | $33K |
| Texas | $60K | $1,415 | $33K |
| District of Columbia | $76K | $2,146 | $32K |
| Iowa | $56K | $1,064 | $31K |
| Arizona | $59K | $1,437 | $31K |
| Alaska | $59K | $1,643 | $30K |
| Florida | $59K | $1,658 | $29K |
| New Hampshire | $57K | $1,528 | $29K |
| South Dakota | $48K | $1,017 | $29K |
| Massachusetts | $73K | $2,347 | $28K |
| Michigan | $55K | $1,272 | $28K |
| Missouri | $49K | $1,097 | $27K |
| Oklahoma | $50K | $1,081 | $27K |
| Tennessee | $49K | $1,215 | $27K |
| Virginia | $59K | $1,646 | $27K |
| Idaho | $47K | $1,136 | $25K |
| Alabama | $48K | $1,085 | $25K |
| Kansas | $46K | $1,066 | $24K |
| Wisconsin | $47K | $1,202 | $24K |
| Maine | $48K | $1,281 | $23K |
| Utah | $48K | $1,350 | $22K |
| New Mexico | $42K | $1,119 | $21K |
| Delaware | $47K | $1,448 | $20K |
| Georgia | $47K | $1,434 | $20K |
| South Carolina | $43K | $1,263 | $20K |
| Vermont | $46K | $1,498 | $20K |
| Arkansas | $40K | $1,021 | $20K |
| West Virginia | $37K | $1,008 | $19K |
| Kentucky | $37K | $1,110 | $17K |
| Mississippi | $36K | $1,077 | $16K |
| Minnesota | $38K | $1,384 | $15K |
| North Carolina | $38K | $1,284 | $15K |
| Louisiana | $33K | $1,191 | $13K |
Education and training
Most fire departments require a high school diploma plus EMT-Basic certification (minimum) or paramedic certification (preferred). Fire academy training runs 12-16 weeks and covers fire suppression tactics, search and rescue, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, building construction, and apparatus operations.
An associate or bachelor's degree in fire science, emergency management, or paramedicine gives a competitive edge in hiring and is often required for promotion to officer ranks. Many firefighters complete degrees while working, as the shift schedule (24 hours on, 48 hours off) allows for daytime classes on off-duty days.
Paramedic certification is the single most valuable addition to a firefighter's credentials. In most combined fire/EMS departments, paramedic-firefighters earn $5,000-$15,000/year more than EMT-only firefighters and have priority in hiring. Many candidates complete paramedic school before applying to fire departments to maximize their competitiveness. The dual-role firefighter-paramedic is the standard in most American fire departments, pure fire suppression positions without EMS duties are increasingly rare.
Licensing and certification
Firefighters must hold state firefighter certification (requirements vary by state, some have statewide standards, others certify at the local level). Most departments also require EMT or paramedic certification. International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and Pro Board certifications provide portable credentials recognized across states.
Specialty certifications in hazardous materials operations/technician, technical rescue (rope, confined space, trench, structural collapse), fire investigation, and fire inspection add career versatility and promotional competitiveness.
What the day-to-day looks like
Firefighters respond to fires, medical emergencies (which constitute 70-80% of calls in most departments), vehicle accidents, hazmat incidents, water rescues, and public assistance calls. Between calls, you train, maintain equipment, perform fire inspections, participate in physical fitness, conduct pre-incident planning, and handle station duties.
The 24-on/48-off schedule means you effectively work 10 days per month. This schedule enables second jobs, family time, and personal pursuits, but the 24-hour shifts include overnight hours, and busy stations may interrupt sleep 4-8 times per night.
Physical fitness is both a job requirement and an ongoing expectation. Firefighters wear 60+ pounds of protective gear and SCBA (breathing apparatus) while performing physically demanding tasks in high-heat environments. Cardiac events are the leading cause of on-duty firefighter deaths.
Career progression
Firefighter → driver/engineer → lieutenant → captain → battalion chief → assistant chief → fire chief. Promotions are competitive and require written exams, practical assessments, oral interviews, and minimum time-in-grade.
Fire investigation (arson investigation), fire prevention/inspection, training officer, and EMS coordinator are specialty tracks that offer different career paths within the department. Some firefighters transition to fire protection engineering, industrial safety, or emergency management careers.
Salary progression
Highest paying states
| State | Median salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $101K | 12,950 |
| Washington | $95K | 7,560 |
| California | $85K | 31,470 |
| New Jersey | $84K | 7,500 |
| Illinois | $78K | 18,400 |
| Connecticut | $78K | 2,970 |
| District of Columbia | $76K | 1,480 |
| Colorado | $74K | 6,510 |
| Maryland | $74K | 5,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $73K | 5,020 |
Where the jobs are
The highest-paying state for firefighterss is New York at $100,960/year, that's $41,680 above the national median. But higher pay often comes with higher costs. Before assuming the top-paying state is the best financial move, check the full affordability breakdown for New York.
The pay gap between the highest and lowest-paying states is $67,840. That spread sounds dramatic, but cost-of-living differences offset much of it. A firefighters making $33,120 in Louisiana may have more purchasing power than one making $100,960 in New York if rent and local prices differ enough.
By employment volume, the states with the most firefighters jobs are California (31,470 workers), Texas (28,170 workers), Florida (24,570 workers). High employment numbers mean more job openings, more employer competition for talent, and usually more leverage when negotiating salary. States with fewer workers in the field may pay less but also have less competition for positions.
For the full state-by-state comparison with salary percentiles, cost-of-living adjustment, and rent affordability for firefighterss, see the complete salary data page.
Salary negotiation
Fire department salaries are union-negotiated or set by civil service classifications, no individual negotiation. Your levers: choose the highest-paying department you can access (municipal departments consistently pay more than rural volunteer/paid-on-call departments), obtain paramedic certification (paramedic firefighters earn $5,000-$15,000/year more than EMT-only firefighters at many departments), and pursue specialty certifications that qualify you for premium assignments.
What the data doesn't tell you
Firefighter total compensation is among the most underreported by BLS. The median salary ($57,000) excludes overtime (which is substantial, firefighters working on holidays, covering vacant shifts, and responding to major incidents can add $10,000-$30,000/year), pension contributions (often 20-30% of salary, employer-paid), retiree healthcare, and the value of the 24/48 schedule (which enables second careers or businesses). Total compensation value for an urban firefighter often exceeds $90,000-$110,000 when benefits are included.
See the full salary picture
Percentile breakdown, cost of living, rent burden, and purchasing power for firefighterss in every metro.
View Firefighters salaries →Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighters make?▼
The median firefighters salary in the United States is $59,280 per year ($29/hour). Entry-level positions start around $34,910, while experienced professionals earn up to $101,040.
What education do you need to become a firefighter?▼
Most firefighters positions require Postsecondary nondegree award. Requirements vary by state and employer. Check with your state's licensing board for specific requirements.
What is the job outlook for firefighters?▼
Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 4% over the next decade, with approximately 1,300 annual openings. This is about average for all occupations.
What are the highest paying states for firefighters?▼
The highest paying states for firefighters are New York ($100,960), Washington ($94,520), California ($85,120), New Jersey ($84,130), Illinois ($78,380). Salaries vary significantly by location due to cost of living and local demand.