Also called: Structural Firefighter, Fire Fighter
Responds to fires, car crashes, medical emergencies, and rescues, working from a fire station.
Firefighters often work 24-hour shifts, living at the station: cooking meals together, training, and checking gear. Most calls are actually medical emergencies, plus car crashes, alarms, and some fires. When the tones drop, they're on the truck in about a minute.
Overtime adds significantly in many departments.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. High school diploma, EMT certification, fire academy (Firefighter I/II), and passing written and physical (CPAT) tests.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification, 2-year college, Military. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Fire Science, Emergency Medical Services.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS firefighters 2024-34.
Low risk for 10 years. Drones and thermal cameras help size up fires; rescues, medical calls and hose work stay human.
Classes: PE / strength training, Health / first aid, Chemistry, Fire science CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-2011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.