Hiring guide · Public Safety & Security
How to Hire a Firefighter
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring firefighters, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $59,280), recruit through licensed security training schools, verify Firefighter I and II where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for firefighters
There are about 355,300 firefighters employed in the U.S., with roughly 26,800 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +3.7% from 2025–35 (about as fast as average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $34,910–$44,490 | $16.78–$21.39 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $101,040 | $48.58 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Postsecondary nondegree award (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Fire suppression
- Teamwork
Nice-to-haves
- Firefighter I and II
- EMT or Paramedic
- Hazmat Awareness and Operations
- Experience with self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
Where to find firefighters
- Licensed security training schools
- Military and law-enforcement transition programs
- Community job fairs and workforce centers
- Referrals from current officers
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Firefighter/EMT, Fire Rescue Specialist, Wildland Firefighter, Firefighter/Paramedic
Screening checklist
- State security license or guard card verification
- Background checks according to state licensing rules
- Driving record if patrol vehicles are used
- A scenario-based interview on judgment and de-escalation
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why do you want to be a firefighter?”
What a strong answer includes: Show sincere commitment to service and teamwork.
2. “Tell me about a time you worked under pressure.”
What a strong answer includes: Use STAR with a specific example.
3. “How do you handle conflict in close quarters?”
What a strong answer includes: Show maturity and respect: crews live together.
4. “What does integrity mean to you?”
What a strong answer includes: Give a concrete example.
5. “What do you know about our department and community?”
What a strong answer includes: Research and mention specifics.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Don Turnout Gear and SCBA (see the steps)
- Inspect an SCBA (see the steps)
- Perform a Home Fire Safety Check (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as SCBA, Turnout gear (bunker gear), PASS device
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Firefighter 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Firefighter training. Show them the path forward: Probationary Firefighter → Firefighter or Firefighter/Paramedic → Driver/Engineer or Lieutenant → Captain, Battalion Chief or Fire Chief.
Hiring firefighters: FAQ
How much should I pay a firefighter?
The U.S. median wage for firefighters is $59,280 per year ($28.50/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($44,490), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($77,250). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a firefighter have?
BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Firefighter I and II and EMT or Paramedic where relevant, plus skills such as fire suppression, emergency medical care, and scba use.
How long does it take to train a new firefighter?
Becoming qualified typically takes 6–12 months (EMT + academy). After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “long-term on-the-job training.”