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Firefighters


Overview

Introduction

Firefighters protect people's lives and property from the hazards of fire and other emergencies. They provide this protection by fighting fires to prevent property damage and by rescuing people trapped or injured by fires or other accidents. Through inspections and safety education, firefighters also work to prevent fires and unsafe conditions that could result in dangerous, life-threatening situations. They assist in many types of emergencies and disasters in everyday life. Although in many rural areas firefighters serve on a volun...

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$49,620

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Employment Prospects

Good

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Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma
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Experience

Previous experience as a firefighter or in emergency services


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Skills

Leadership
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Personality Traits

Athletic
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Earnings

The median hourly pay for firefighters was $23.85 in May 2018 (or $49,620  annually based on a 40-hour workweek), according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Ten percent of all firefighters earned less than $12.10 per hour (or 25,170 annually), while the top 10 percent earned more than $42.75 per hour (or $88,920 annually). The department also reports that firefighters employed by local governme...

Work Environment

In many fire departments, firefighters may be on duty and live at fire stations for long periods of time. They may work 24-hour shifts followed by either 48 or 72 hours off. Firefighters can also work in split shifts, which require that they work nine-hour days and 15-hour night tours or 10-hour days and 14-hour night tours. After each set of day tours, firefighters receive 72 hours off, and af...

Outlook

Employment of firefighters is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all careers through 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL says that "improved building materials and building codes have resulted in a long-term decrease in fires and fire fatalities, [but] firefighters will still be needed to respond to fires." There will also be increasing demand for firef...