Firefighter

Explore This Path

Save lives and protect communities in high-stakes emergency situations.
Make a significant impact by preventing and controlling fires and disasters.
Experience the thrill of rescue missions and hazardous material responses.

💰 Earn $64K-$110K

📚 Vocational Training

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 4.2% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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.

Rescue victims from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Vocational Training

Career Prospects

Good (Increasing by 1-5%)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

25,700 Annually

Median Earnings

$80,330 in California

$57,120 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Influencing or leading others
Relating with or serving others
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Judgment and Decision Making
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension

You value 🙏

Accomplishing things
Having support
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Firefighter

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Workforce Development Program

A workforce development program typically enhances participants' opportunities to succeed in the workforce through employment skill-building, career counseling, connections to employers, and pathways to high-demand and high-wage jobs.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years