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.
Firefighters
SOC: 33-2011 O*NET: 33-2011.00
Median Salary
$59,530
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.4%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
27.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a Firefighters do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,490
10th percentile
Early Career
$44,180
25th percentile
Median
$59,530
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,410
75th percentile
Top Earners
$101,330
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,490
25th
$44,180
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$59,530
Mean: $63,890
75th
$77,410
90th
$101,330
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $66,840 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $44,180 and $77,410
- •Salary spread is 55.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 332,240 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:344,900
Top Industries
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services6.1%
Administrative and Support Services6%
Other Support Services5.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.4%
Annual Openings:27,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)344,900
Current
2034 (Projected)356,700
+3.4%
+11,800
Employment Change
+3.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Firefighters professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
30,400 jobs$60,8401.02x
California
27,580 jobs$83,4000.71x
Florida
21,470 jobs$58,3601.01x
Ohio
18,750 jobs$59,4701.57x
North Carolina
18,200 jobs$37,2501.72x
New York
14,730 jobs$88,3800.72x
Illinois
14,510 jobs$79,0801.11x
Massachusetts
11,910 jobs$73,1101.52x
Georgia
11,660 jobs$45,9701.11x
Virginia
10,820 jobs$58,3001.24x
Indiana
8,550 jobs$61,4701.24x
Wisconsin
8,010 jobs$47,7101.27x
Washington
8,000 jobs$93,4901.05x
South Carolina
7,570 jobs$45,9601.55x
Michigan
7,390 jobs$55,5700.78x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Service Orientation
94%
#3
Judgment and Decision Making
86%
#4
Coordination
80%
#5
Active Listening
74%
#6
Active Learning
66%
#7
Monitoring
60%
#8
Speaking
54%
#9
Social Perceptiveness
46%
#10
Complex Problem Solving
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Service Orientation
advanced4.7
94%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.3
86%
Coordination
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Listening
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Learning
intermediate3.3
66%
Monitoring
intermediate3.0
60%
Speaking
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Service Orientation
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Acupuncturists82%
5 shared skills
Dentists, General82%
5 shared skills
Midwives82%
5 shared skills
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers82%
5 shared skills
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance82%
5 shared skills
Nurse Anesthetists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Coordination
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Speaking
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Active Listening
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Firefighters
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🌤️
Location
MOSTLY OUTDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly outdoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (1)Operations & Execution (1)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Communication & Coordination (2)
1
Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution82% perform88%
8
Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Firefighters
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Firefighters professionals typically have a RCS Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Firefighters
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.68
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.65
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.61
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.57
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.56
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.50
Complete Work Styles Profile
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Integrity
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.6
Concern for Others
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Leadership
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Initiative
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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