Firefighter

What it pays in the U.S.

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.

Wage figures are 2025 survey data for United States, shown nationally because no state figure was reported. They describe what people in this job earn now, not what any one person will be offered.

What the work actually is

• Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
• Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
• Search to locate fire survivors.
• Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.
• Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences.
• Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.

Read the full Occupational Outlook Handbook entry from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Licensing, by state

Licensing is set by each state, so there is no national answer. Choose a state above to see which licenses it requires for this career, or look one up with the CareerOneStop License Finder.

Certifications employers recognize

These are national certifications, issued by industry bodies rather than a state. Most are optional, but they are how you prove skill to an employer.

• Certified Hazard Recognition Specialist

  National Fire Protection Association · Core

• Wildland Fire Chainsaws

  National Wildfire Coordinating Group · Advanced

• WSO - Certified Hazardous Materials Technician Level II

  World Safety Organization · Advanced

• STCW - Advanced Firefighting

  United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center · Advanced

• Sartech III

  National Association for Search and Rescue · Advanced

• Airport Master Firefighter

  American Association of Airport Executives · Specialty

• WSO - Certified Hazardous Materials Technician I

  World Safety Organization · Core

• Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist

  National Fire Protection Association · Core

• Firefighter Type 2

  National Wildfire Coordinating Group · Advanced

• Airport Fire Officer

  Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Training Alliance · Advanced

• Certified Fire Protection Specialist

  National Fire Protection Association · Specialty

Apprenticeships, by state

Registered apprenticeships pay you while you train. Each state runs its own registration office, which is where to start when you want to find an open program.

Choose a state above to see the offices that register apprenticeships there.

Search open programs directly at apprenticeship.gov.