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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 government90.49%
  2. Federal government7.29%
  3. Private, for profit1.78%
  4. Self-employed0.30%
  5. Private, not for profit0.11%

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

Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
+4%
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Job Outlook

×

Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 26,400 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

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Salary

Salary Information

Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$51,680

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

$57,104

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

Salary Range Salary varies based on years of experience, degree level and location.

$28,640
$80,820
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

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

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
  • Social — You have an interest in helping, teaching, advising, assisting or providing service to others.
  • Enterprising — You have an interest in managing, negotiating and marketing, or leading and advising others.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

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

Knowledge

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

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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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.