Career comparison
Firefighter vs. Hazardous Materials Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Firefighters earn more at the median ($59,280 vs. $49,450), while hazardous materials technicians usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of required training of training). Firefighters respond to fires, medical emergencies, rescues and hazmat incidents. Hazardous materials technicians safely remove and clean up asbestos, lead, chemicals and other hazardous materials.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Firefighter | Hazardous Materials Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $59,280 ($28.50/hr) | $49,450 ($23.78/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $34,910 – $101,040 | $38,460 – $82,410 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +3.7% (about as fast as average) | +1.5% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 26,800 | 4,300 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 6–12 months (EMT + academy) | 1–4 weeks of required training |
| Key credential | Firefighter I and II | OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hour |
| Work setting | Firefighters live and work at fire stations during shifts and respond to emergencies in homes, businesses, highways and wildland areas. | Hazmat technicians work at demolition and renovation sites, industrial facilities, contaminated land and emergency scenes. |
What each job does
Firefighter
- 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
Hazardous Materials Technician
- Set up regulated areas, containment and decontamination zones
- Identify hazardous materials and review safety data and site plans
- Remove asbestos, lead paint, mold or contaminated materials using approved methods
- Wear and maintain respirators and chemical protective clothing
- Decontaminate workers, tools and equipment
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, teamwork, and high responsibility. They sit in different fields, public safety & security and safety & environmental, but share transferable skills such as teamwork and discipline with procedures.
Which should you choose?
Choose firefighter if…
- I want to help people in emergencies
- I’m physically fit and willing to train hard
- I stay calm in dangerous situations
Choose hazardous materials technician if…
- I follow safety procedures exactly, every time
- I can work in hot, heavy protective gear
- I want a fast path into a skilled field
Still torn? Take the Firefighter fit quiz and the Hazardous Materials Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, firefighter or hazardous materials technician?
Firefighters earn more at the median: $59,280 versus $49,450 for hazardous materials technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Hazardous Materials Technicians typically train faster (1–4 weeks of required training) than firefighters (6–12 months (EMT + academy)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects firefighters to grow +3.7% from 2025–35, compared with +1.5% for hazardous materials technicians.