Firefighter Salaries and Job Outlook

Salaries for firefighters range from $51,000-$92,000 per year. Not only is this a good-paying career choice for qualified candidates, but firefighters get a generous benefit plan. Veteran firefighters can retire with a pension after 25 years of service.

Since firefighters can retire relatively early in life, they have the option of starting a new career at that point. Some former firefighter choose to continue on with the second jobs they were performing in their off hours while members of the department. Very few career options offer this combination of good pay, a significant amount of time off, and early retirement.

There will be many applicants interested in available firefighter positions, so you can expect that the competition will be fierce. Once hired, though, firefighters can enjoy a level of job security that very few other workers get. The vast majority of firefighters have never been laid off. Since firefighting is considered an essential service, departments are more likely to stop hiring new personnel than reducing the existing workforce.

Most fire departments promote from within, and there will be opportunities to move through the ranks for dedicated firefighters. Those who are interested in qualifying for more senior positions in the fire department may need to take courses in fire science offered at the community college or university level.

The employment outlook for firefighters is expected to grow at a faster rate than average for other job titles until 2014. As veteran firefighters reach retirement age, more trained personnel will be needed to replace them. Other firefighters may transfer to other departments, leave to pursue other types of employment, or become ill or disabled and unable to work. Many job openings are expected to stem from volunteer firefighting positions being converted into paying ones, especially in suburban areas.

Firefighting Salaries

Here is the latest information on firefighting salary ranges from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes332011.htm