### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Firefighters Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			firefighters imageFirefighters control fires and respond to other emergencies.							
						Quick Facts:     Firefighters2023     Median Pay
            						$57,120     per year
										$27.46     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Postsecondary nondegree awardWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Long-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    334,200Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    4% (As fast as average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    12,000What Firefighters Do
                                                
                        
                        
Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
On the scene of a fire or other emergency, firefighters’ work may be dangerous. On call at fire stations, firefighters sleep, eat, and perform other duties during shifts that often last 24 hours. Most paid firefighters work full time.
            
                                                How to Become a Firefighter
                                                
                        
Firefighters typically need a high school diploma and training in emergency medical services. Most firefighters receive training at a fire academy. Other credential requirements, such as emergency medical technician (EMT) certification, vary by state or locality.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for firefighters was $57,120 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of firefighters is projected to grow							 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
						About 26,400 openings for firefighters are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for firefighters.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of firefighters with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about firefighters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Firefighters Do 
            

			FirefightersMany firefighters are responsible for providing medical attention.			
Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.
Duties
Firefighters typically do the following:
Respond to emergencies
Drive firetrucks and other emergency vehicles
Put out fires using water hoses, fire extinguishers, and water pumps
Find and rescue occupants of burning buildings or other emergency situations
Treat sick or injured people
Prepare written reports about emergency incidents
Clean and maintain equipment
Conduct and participate in drills related to rescue tactics, equipment use, and treatment of victims in emergency medical situationsWhen responding to a fire, firefighters are responsible for connecting hoses to hydrants, operating the pumps that power the hoses, climbing ladders, and using other tools to break through debris. Firefighters also enter burning buildings to extinguish fires, rescue any occupants inside, and give medical treatment as needed.
Firefighters provide medical attention in a variety of situations. In fact, most calls to firefighters are for medical emergencies, not fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Other types of emergency calls that firefighters respond to include disaster aid, search-and-rescue operations, and traffic accidents.
Some firefighters also work in hazardous materials (hazmat) units and are specially trained in controlling and cleaning up oil spills, chemical accidents, and other potentially harmful substances. They work with hazardous materials removal workers in these cases.
When firefighters are not responding to an emergency, they often participate in other activities related to their work. For example, they must maintain a high level of physical fitness. On call at a fire station, firefighters regularly inspect equipment and practice drills. They also eat and sleep at the station, as their shifts usually last 24 hours. Some firefighters make presentations about fire safety to educate the public, such as at a school.
***Wildland firefighters*** are specially trained to control forest fires. Wildland firefighters frequently create fire lines—a swath of cut-down trees and dug-up grass in the path of a fire—to deprive a fire of fuel. They also use prescribed fires to burn potential fire fuel under controlled conditions. Some wildland firefighters, known as *smoke jumpers*, parachute from airplanes to reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
 Work Environment
			FirefightersFirefighters respond to emergencies such as car accidents.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Firefighters held about 334,200 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of firefighters were as follows:
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                86%State government, excluding education and hospitals
                4Federal government, excluding postal service
                2These employment numbers exclude volunteer firefighters, who share the same duties as paid firefighters.
Volunteer firefighters account for the largest share of firefighters nationwide, especially in communities of fewer than 25,000, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
When responding to an emergency, firefighters often wear protective gear, which can be very heavy and hot. On call at fire stations, firefighters sleep, eat, and do other nonemergency tasks, such as work on equipment.
Injuries and Illnesses
Firefighters have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. They often encounter dangerous situations, including collapsing floors and walls and overexposure to flames and smoke. Workers must wear protective gear to help lower these risks.
Work Schedules
Firefighters typically work long periods; overtime is common, and their hours vary. For example, firefighters may work 24-hour shifts on duty, followed by 48 or 72 hours off duty.
When combating forest and wildland fires, firefighters may work for extended periods. For example, wildland firefighters may have to stay in a fire camp, a temporary site set up to provide shelter and support for days or weeks when a wildland fire breaks out.
Work for wildland firefighters may be seasonal. During certain times of the year, wildland firefighters might not work or might have limited hours.
 How to Become a Firefighter

			FirefightersFirefighters begin their careers by attending fire academy training.			
Firefighters typically need a high school diploma and training in emergency medical services. Prospective firefighters must pass written and physical tests, complete interviews, and train at a fire academy. Additionally, fire departments may require firefighters to have other credentials, such as emergency medical technician (EMT) certification. Firefighters must complete continuing education to obtain or maintain these credentials.
Applicants for firefighter jobs typically must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. They must also pass a medical exam and drug screening to be hired. After being hired, firefighters may be subject to random drug tests and also need to complete routine physical fitness assessments.
Education
The entry-level education typically required to become a firefighter is a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some postsecondary instruction, such as in assessing patients’ conditions, dealing with trauma, and clearing obstructed airways, is usually needed to obtain the emergency medical technician (EMT) certification. EMT requirements vary by city and state.
Training
Entry-level firefighters receive a few months of training at fire academies run by the fire department or by the state. Recruits learn firefighting and fire-prevention techniques, local building codes, and emergency medical procedures. They also learn how to fight fires with standard equipment, including axes, chain saws, fire extinguishers, and ladders. After attending a fire academy, firefighters usually must complete a probationary period.
Those wishing to become wildland firefighters may attend apprenticeship programs that last up to 4 years. These programs combine instruction with on-the-job-training under the supervision of experienced firefighters.
In addition to participating in training programs conducted by local or state fire departments and agencies, some firefighters attend federal training sessions sponsored by the National Fire Academy. These sessions cover topics including anti-arson techniques, disaster preparedness, hazardous materials control, and public fire safety and education.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Requirements for licensure or certification vary by state or locality. Check with your local state licensing agency or local fire department for more information.
Firefighters may need certain credentials, such as emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic certifications. The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certifies EMTs and paramedics who have completed a formal program and passed the national exam. More information about EMTs and paramedics is available in a separate profile*.*
Continuing education is required to maintain these credentials.
Depending on the state or locality, some firefighters are required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or driver’s license with firefighter endorsement to operate a firetruck.
Other Experience
Working as a volunteer firefighter may be helpful in getting a job as a career firefighter.
Advancement
Firefighters may be promoted to engineer, then to lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, deputy chief, and chief. For promotion to positions beyond battalion chief, many fire departments require candidates to have a bachelor's degree, preferably in fire science, public administration, or a related field. Some firefighters eventually become fire inspectors or investigators after gaining enough experience.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Firefighters must be able to explain conditions at an emergency scene to other firefighters and to emergency-response crews.
***Compassion.***Firefighters, like EMTs and paramedics, need to provide emotional support to those in emergency situations.
***Decision-making skills.*** Firefighters must be able to make difficult choices quickly, sometimes in life-or-death situations.
***Mental preparedness.*** Firefighters must be able to handle the stressfulness of their work, which may involve entering a burning building or treating medical emergencies.
***Physical stamina.*** Firefighters may have to stay at disaster scenes for long periods of time to rescue and treat victims.
***Physical strength.*** Firefighters must be strong enough to carry heavy equipment and move debris at an emergency site. They also carry victims who cannot walk.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                FirefightersMedian annual wages, May 2023Firefighting and prevention workers$57,900  Firefighters$57,120  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for firefighters was $57,120 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $93,720.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for firefighters in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                $59,520Federal government, excluding postal service
                59,470State government, excluding education and hospitals
                51,400Firefighters typically work long periods; overtime is common, and their hours vary. For example, firefighters may work 24-hour shifts on duty, followed by 48 or 72 hours off duty.
When combating forest and wildland fires, firefighters may work for extended periods. For example, wildland firefighters may have to stay for days or weeks when a wildland fire breaks out.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               FirefightersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Firefighting and prevention workers4%  Firefighters4%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of firefighters is projected to grow				 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
			
			About 26,400 openings for firefighters are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Although improved building materials and building codes have resulted in a long-term decrease in fires and fire fatalities, firefighters will still be needed to respond to fires. Wildland firefighters will still be needed to combat active fires and manage the environment to reduce the impact of fires. Firefighters will also continue to respond to medical emergencies.
			

                        Employment projections data for     firefighters, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Firefighters**
			33-2011
			334,200
			346,200
			4
			12,000
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Firefighters **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of firefighters. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**EMTs and Paramedics**
            Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $44,780**Fire Inspectors**
            Fire inspectors detect fire hazards, recommend prevention measures, ensure compliance with state and local fire regulations, and investigate causes of fires.
            See How to Become One
            $71,420**Forest and Conservation Workers**
            Forest and conservation workers perform physical labor to improve the quality of natural areas such as forests, rangelands, and wetlands.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $33,940**Hazardous Materials Removal Workers**
            Hazardous materials removal workers identify and dispose of harmful substances such as asbestos, lead, and radioactive waste.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $47,280**Police and Detectives**
            Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.
            See How to Become One
            $74,910
 Contacts for More Information
								
For information about a career as a firefighter, contact your local fire department or visit
International Association of Fire Fighters
International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Services
U.S. Fire Administration
National Fire Protection Association
For information about a career as a wildland firefighter, visit
National Wildfire Coordinating Group
For information about professional qualifications and a list of colleges and universities offering 2- or 4-year degree programs in fire science and fire prevention, visit
National Fire Academy, U.S. Fire Administration
For more information about emergency medical technicians and paramedics, visit
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Firefighters
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Firefighters, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/firefighters.htm (visited *May 17, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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