Public Safety & Security career

Firefighter

Also called: Firefighter/EMT · Fire Rescue Specialist · Wildland Firefighter · Firefighter/Paramedic

What firefighters do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a firefighter do?

Firefighters respond to fires, medical emergencies, vehicle crashes, rescues and hazardous materials incidents: protecting lives and property and educating communities about fire safety. The median pay is $59,280 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–12 months (EMT + academy), and employment is projected to grow +3.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $59,280
    $28.50/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +3.7%
    2025–35, about as fast as average
  • Openings per year
    26,800
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Postsecondary nondegree award
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    6–12 months (EMT + academy)
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    355,300
    Employment, 2025

What firefighters do

Today’s firefighters spend much of their time on emergency medical calls in addition to fighting fires. They operate engines and ladder trucks, advance hose lines, search and rescue victims, ventilate buildings, provide emergency medical care and perform inspections and public education.

Becoming a firefighter usually requires EMT certification, passing a written exam and a physical ability test such as the CPAT, a background check, and completing a fire academy that leads to Firefighter I and II certification. Competition for career positions can be strong, and many firefighters start as volunteers.

Typical duties

  • Respond to fires, medical emergencies, crashes and rescues
  • Operate pumps, hoses, ladders and rescue tools
  • Search for and rescue victims
  • Provide emergency medical care as EMTs or paramedics
  • Respond to hazardous materials incidents
  • Inspect buildings and teach fire prevention
  • Maintain equipment, apparatus and fitness

Work environment and schedule

Firefighters live and work at fire stations during shifts and respond to emergencies in homes, businesses, highways and wildland areas. The work is physically demanding and dangerous, with exposure to heat, smoke, chemicals and trauma.

Schedule: Many departments use 24-hour shifts followed by 48 or 72 hours off. Overtime is common; wildland firefighters may work long seasonal deployments.

A day in the life

  1. Start a 24-hour shift: check SCBA, turnout gear, the engine’s pump, tools and medical equipment.
  2. Respond to a medical call for a patient with difficulty breathing.
  3. Training drill on ladder operations and forcible entry.
  4. Conduct a fire safety inspection at a restaurant.

See a full day in the life of a firefighter →

Firefighter salary

Half of firefighters earned more than $59,280 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $34,910 for the lowest 10% to $101,040 for the top 10%.

Full firefighter pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a firefighter

  1. Meet basic requirements
  2. Get EMT certified
  3. Train for the physical test
  4. Apply and pass testing
  5. Complete the fire academy

Most departments require a high school diploma, EMT certification, passing a written exam and a physical ability test (such as the CPAT), and completing a fire academy for Firefighter I and II certification. Some require paramedic certification or college credit.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a firefighter →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Fire suppression
  • Emergency medical care
  • SCBA use
  • Ladders, hose and pump operations
  • Rescue and extrication

People skills

  • Teamwork
  • Courage and composure
  • Physical fitness
  • Communication

All firefighter skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Meaningful, respected work
  • Strong teamwork and camaraderie
  • Good benefits and pensions in many departments
  • Schedules with multiple days off

Cons

  • Dangerous work with exposure to smoke and carcinogens
  • Physically demanding
  • Traumatic calls and stress
  • Competitive hiring for career positions

Certifications and licenses

  • Firefighter I and II: Certifications based on NFPA professional qualification standards, earned through a fire academy.
  • EMT or Paramedic: Medical certification required or preferred by most departments.
  • Hazmat Awareness and Operations: Training to recognize and respond to hazardous materials incidents.
  • CPAT: Candidate Physical Ability Test used by many departments.

Career path

  1. Probationary Firefighter: Complete probation and learn the station.
  2. Firefighter or Firefighter/Paramedic: Respond to all emergencies.
  3. Driver/Engineer or Lieutenant: Operate apparatus or supervise a crew.
  4. Captain, Battalion Chief or Fire Chief: Lead stations and departments.

Learn the job before day one

Our Firefighter training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as don turnout gear and SCBA and inspect an SCBA, safety and how to land your first job.

View Firefighter trainingIs this career right for me?

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Compare: Firefighter vs. EMT · Firefighter vs. Police Officer · Firefighter vs. Hazmat Technician · Firefighter vs. Security Guard

Firefighter FAQ

Do firefighters need EMT certification?

Most departments require or strongly prefer EMT certification because many calls are medical emergencies.

How hard is it to become a firefighter?

Career positions are competitive. Strong fitness, EMT or paramedic certification, volunteer experience and a clean background improve your chances.

What schedule do firefighters work?

Many work 24-hour shifts followed by 48 or 72 hours off, though schedules vary by department.

How much does a firefighter make?

The median annual wage for firefighters was $59,280 ($28.50 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $34,910 and the highest 10% earned more than $101,040.

How long does it take to become a firefighter?

Most people need about 6–12 months (EMT + academy) of training. Most departments require a high school diploma, EMT certification, passing a written exam and a physical ability test (such as the CPAT), and completing a fire academy for Firefighter I and II certification. Some require paramedic certification or college credit.

Do you need a degree to be a firefighter?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

More firefighter questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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