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Firefighters

General Information

Description

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.

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Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. State and local government89.63%
  2. Federal government9.26%
  3. Private, for profit1.07%
  4. Self-employed0.04%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Job Outlook

Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 28,000 openings for firefighters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Job Outlook

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Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 28,000 openings for firefighters are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Similar Careers

Related Military Careers

No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$50,700

Military salary*

$58,638

Explore this career in the Military

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$79,910
$27,890
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 35%
  • Post-secondary certificate 24%
  • Some college 19%
  • Less than high school 9%
  • Associate's degree 7%
  • First professional degree 2%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Education and Training
  • Psychology
  • Mechanical

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.