How to Become a Firefighter
Respond when lives and property are at risk: fight fires, run rescues, and handle medical emergencies. It typically requires a postsecondary certificate, with a median salary of $59,280 per year and about average projected job growth.
Median pay
$59,280/yr
Middle half
$44,490 to $77,250
Job growth
About average
Openings / yr
27,100
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Fire Suppression
- Emergency Response
- Physical Fitness
- Teamwork
- Critical Thinking
Helpful certifications
- Firefighter I/II
- EMT certification
Is this career a fit?
Work-life balance
56/100
Stress level
67/100
Related careers
- Detective / Criminal Investigator$93,790 median
- Emergency Management Director$93,330 median
- Forensic Science Technician$72,060 median
- Probation Officer$66,270 median
- Paralegal$62,890 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Firefighter make?
The median pay for a Firefighter is $59,280 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $44,490 and $77,250 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Firefighter?
The usual entry point is a postsecondary certificate. Common majors are Fire Science, Emergency Medical Services, and Public Administration.
Is Firefighter a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is about average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 27,100 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Firefighter use most?
Common skills for this role are Fire Suppression, Emergency Response, Physical Fitness, Teamwork, and Critical Thinking.
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).