Bachelor’s in Fire Science Program Guide

California offers the second-highest salaries for firefighters in the nation, with annual mean wages reaching more than $73,000, which is significantly more than the national annual mean wage of $50,000.

While the state is home to more than 30,000 municipal and forest firefighters, the majority of California’s fire safety professionals live in major urban centers. The Oakland-Berkeley and Vallejo-Fairfield metropolitan areas are known for paying firefighters some of the highest wages in the country. Cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Rafael also rank among the top ten-highest paying metropolitan areas for firefighters.

Demand for both entry-level and supervisory fire safety professionals is expected to remain steady in the coming decade. Projected job growth rates for municipal and forest firefighters in California appear consistent with the national 7% growth rate. Openings for both occupations, as well as jobs for municipal firefighting and prevention supervisors, are projected to increase 5% by 2026.

Despite a predicted decrease in firefighting positions, New Jersey pays its firefighters the highest salaries in the country, with firefighters in the state drawing a median annual wage of just under $76,000. Major metropolitan centers, particularly those close to New York and Pennsylvania, offer exceptionally high wages. Firefighters who work in the Newark area bring in almost $81,000 each year. The New York City – Jersey City metropolitan region employs the second largest number of firefighters in the United States.

Firefighters in New Jersey also enjoy numerous legal protections. Employers cannot discriminate against or penalize volunteer firefighters who miss work to fulfill their firefighting duties.

While job opportunities for firefighters are projected to grow by 7% nationwide by 2026, firefighters in New York state should see their employment options increase by 9%. Other New York fire safety professionals, including municipal firefighting and prevention supervisors, can expect similar job growth rates.

New York firefighters also earn median salaries that fall far above the national figure. While the national median salary for firefighters falls shy of $41,000, those employed in northern cities like Albany earn significantly higher wages than their counterparts in other states. In major urban centers such as New York City and Rochester, firefighters earn more than $70,000 every year.

New York City and the surrounding urban areas provide jobs to over 9,000 firefighters — the second largest number in any United States metropolitan region. The FDNY is also known for its inclusive hiring practices. A recent graduating class of 291 provisional firefighters included fifteen women.

With a projected 17% rate for both municipal and forest firefighting professionals, job growth in the state far exceeds the projected national rate of 7%. Anticipating an increased need for fire inspectors and investigators, as well as firefighters, Texas offers numerous opportunities for fire safety professionals at every education level and career stage.

Texas housed more than 28,000 firefighters in 2016, with the majority residing in urban areas. In 2017, Houston and Dallas were ranked among the U.S. cities with the largest populations of firefighters, and both cities offered firefighters higher-than-average wages. Professionals earn roughly $55,000 in Houston and $50,000 in Dallas, while those employed in San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Amarillo enjoy even higher salaries.

Almost 25,000 firefighters live and work in Florida, comprising the third largest group in the United States. The annual mean wages are around $51,000 for firefighters in this state. With the annual mean wage across the country not quite reaching $50,000, firefighters in Florida find themselves in a position to earn more than their national colleagues. Firefighters in cities such as Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Miami earn more than $60,000 annually.

The projected 14% increase in firefighting positions in Florida further provides advantages and opportunities for firefighting professionals in the state. Both municipal and forest firefighters will see higher than average growth, according to estimates.

With the recent passage of a law to protect Florida firefighters and other first responders from hardships faced on the job, firefighters now can receive workers’ compensation benefits for PTSD. Florida joined many other states by adding these supports for firefighting professionals.

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Washington state pays the fourth-highest annual median wage to firefighters at just over $70,000. Northwest and southwest Washington rank among the top paying nonmetropolitan areas for firefighters in the U.S., with average salaries in the region falling between $58,000 and $61,000. In the Tacoma-Lakewood area, firefighters earn almost $89,000 every year. Firefighters in the state’s eastern region earn somewhat lower wages, but still regularly exceed the national annual median salary.

With statewide job growth levels that are higher than the 7% national rate, Washington offers numerous opportunities for career advancement. Demand for municipal and forest firefighters is projected to grow by 11% over the next 10 years.

All Washington firefighters must be aged 18 or older and hold a GED or high school diploma. The state provides firefighters with the latest information on carcinogens and health protection innovations. Thanks to a strong union and active advocacy initiatives, firefighters in Washington also enjoy access to an advanced injury reporting system and healthcare support.

With almost 2,000 firefighters statewide, Nevada is home to the country’s fifth-largest group of firefighting professionals. Nevada’s job growth rates closely follow the national 7% projected increase, and demand for firefighters remains steady across the state. While Las Vegas firefighters enjoy an annual median wage of almost $78,000, professionals employed elsewhere in the state earn more than $65,000 each year, or roughly $15,000 above the national figure.

Firefighters in Nevada must pass a background check, hold a GED or high school diploma and a valid Nevada class C driver’s license, and pass several medical and written exams. They must also be at least 18 years of age. Demand for forest firefighters is higher in Nevada than in many other states, and firefighting professionals trained in wildfire prevention and protection may find seasonal work in Nevada. Seasonal positions typically last from May to October.

Illinois firefighters consistently out earn their counterparts in other states. Drawing annual median salaries approaching $52,000, many firefighters in Illinois enjoy lucrative careers, with the state’s highest earners bringing in almost $100,000 each year.

More than 10,000 of Illinois’ 18,000 firefighters reside in the greater Chicago area, which employs more firefighters than any other metropolitan region in the country. The annual mean salary for Chicagoland firefighters typically exceeds $65,000. Professionals employed in cities such as Springfield and Danville draw salaries in excess of $55,000.

While all firefighters in Illinois are expected to hold a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years old, some cities and towns may uphold additional requirements for prospective firefighters. The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal provides extensive information and resources regarding job conditions and required qualifications.

Few nonmetropolitan firefighters in the nation earn more than those in central and southern Oregon, who bring in over $68,000 and $58,000 each year, respectively. Elsewhere in the state, firefighters enjoy an above-average annual median wage of roughly $66,000. While Oregon’s exceptionally high salaries and growing demand for firefighters are partially driven by periodic wildfires, both forest and municipal firefighter positions are projected to increase by 8% through 2026. At present, the state enlists numerous private contractors to combat wildfire.

Firefighters in Oregon must hold EMT or paramedic credentials. Individuals who want to enter the profession without an EMT or paramedic license should apply to become firefighter trainees. Applicants with or without EMT or paramedic certifications must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED and a driver’s license, and meet health and physical fitness standards.

Thanks to recent policy changes, prospective Pennsylvania firefighters enjoy increased access to training and education, providing advancement opportunities for high school students and adult candidates alike. The State Fire Academy offers residential, weekend, and mobile training sessions. While every Pennsylvania firefighter must master competencies defined by the Fire Academy, other requirements vary from city to city. For example, prospective Philadelphia firefighters must reside in the city or township where they work.

With increased professional experience and additional training, firefighters in Pennsylvania may increase their initial annual salary of roughly $52,000 to as much as $73,000 per year. Attracted by the state’s lucrative job opportunities, more than 5,000 fire safety professionals live and work in Pennsylvania. Those employed in the New Jersey-Pennsylvania metropolitan region earn over $86,000 annually, which is almost $30,000 more than the national average, and some firefighters in the New Jersey-Pennsylvania area draw salaries in excess of $110,000.

More than 13,000 paid and volunteer firefighters staff 471 fire and rescue departments across Nebraska. Benefitting from above-average wages and a steady 6% job growth rate, Nebraska firefighters consistently out earn their counterparts in many other states. In large cities such as Omaha, some firefighters may bring in annual mean salaries as high as $56,000.

The state government sponsors a wide variety of educational resources for both prospective and current firefighters. The Nebraska State Fire Marshal offers numerous certifications for fire safety professionals in specialized areas such as apparatus and vehicle operation, fire safety instruction, and hazardous material management, while the Nebraska Forest Service provides additional advanced training geared toward forest and wildfire firefighters. Along with state-specific information and certification guidelines, Nebraska’s Wildland Fire Academy offers training programs for firefighters nationwide at the local, state, and federal levels.

Thanks to Missouri’s reciprocity and equivalency laws, firefighters who hold certifications in other states are permitted to seek positions within Missouri and take advantage of the state’s 9% job growth rate. Although certification guidelines and requirements vary by location, the state provides initial training programs for firefighters, fire inspectors, and fire investigators. The Office of the Fire Marshal also grants numerous fire safety certifications.

Earning potential varies significantly across the state. Firefighters who are employed in cities typically draw larger salaries than those in rural areas, and Missouri’s highest paid firefighters work in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Recently, Google’s philanthropic division provided Kansas City firefighters with a $1 million grant to support first responders’ mental and physical health. In addition to medical and psychiatric care, the grant has funded scholarships, retreats for firefighters’ families, and training programs.

With extensive local job opportunities and strong earning potential, it’s no surprise that roughly 4,500 firefighters reside in the Washington, D.C. area. Firefighters employed in the region earn an impressive annual mean wage of nearly $69,000, or almost $20,000 above the national average. In other parts of Virginia, firefighters’ earnings consistently surpass national figures. The state’s projected 10% job growth rate demonstrates a positive outlook for fire safety professionals in Virginia.

While both local and regional fire departments hold different service requirements, the state provides basic certifications and training programs. The Virginia Department of Fire Programs offers specialized training in air rescue, incident management, and technical rescue, which allow firefighters to acquire new skills and advance in the profession. A recent grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has helped Virginia firefighters purchase new equipment, support mobile operations, and pursue further training.

Michigan’s strategic location and vast forested areas have led the state to coordinate prevention and protection efforts with fire safety professionals in neighboring states and Canadian agencies. These collaborative initiatives equip forest firefighters with advanced training and setting-specific fire safety methodologies. Despite these efforts, Michigan’s continued need for both municipal and wildlife firefighters has led to a projected 7% job growth rate in the field and above-average salary potential. Many firefighters employed in cities such as Battle Creek, or along the Indiana border, draw salaries that fall above the national median wage.

With over 1,000 fire departments located throughout the state, training oversight falls to the Bureau of Fire Services’ Fire Fighter Training Division. Along with state standards, candidates in some municipal areas must meet additional requirements to become firefighters. In Troy, firefighters must live or work within three miles of a city fire station.

Colorado’s urgent need for qualified fire safety professionals has led to a large number of available positions statewide and a 13% job growth rate — nearly double the national average for all occupations. In an effort to meet this growing demand, many cities offer increasingly competitive wages. Firefighters in urban centers such as Denver and Boulder draw an annual median wage of $70,000 — more than $20,000 above the national figure. In other locations like Fort Collins and Greeley, firefighters earn more than $50,000 per year.

Before completing national standard training and obtaining Colorado credentials, wildfire firefighters must find a sponsoring agency. Firefighters may also pursue hazardous materials and medical training. State efforts to support firefighters and promote fire safety include training programs and extensive cooperative efforts between cities.

Regional wildfire outbreaks are a fact of life in Montana, and job growth figures demonstrate the state’s steady demand for firefighting professionals. While the projected 8% growth rate for firefighters is slightly higher than the national average, state demand for forest firefighting supervisors and prevention supervisors is also increasing at a comparable rate. Most Montana firefighters earn more than $50,000 a year, with individuals in Billings and Missoula bringing in even higher salaries.

The state’s forest firefighters enjoy a wealth of educational resources and opportunities for advancement. Montana State University’s Montana Fire Training School provides specialized training programs, while and the trainings offered by the state’s Department of National Resources and Conservation offers additional training in fire and incident management. The recent Roundup For Safety Grant provided forest firefighters and lookout volunteers at select sites with new radio devices and first aid kits.

Comparable to nationwide trends, both municipal and forest firefighter positions in Wyoming are projected to see a 5% growth rate in the coming decade. Although Wyoming firefighters earn salaries just under the national median wage, they enjoy numerous benefits, state resources, and advanced training opportunities.

The Wyoming Fire Training Division oversees all local and regional firefighter training, standardizing practice across the state. All entry-level firefighters in Wyoming must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. State agencies offer numerous training and certificate programs for firefighters who wish to develop specialized skills. The Department of Fire Protection and Electric Safety is home to the Wyoming Fire Agency, which provides courses on structure design, fire safety instruction, and fire investigation. The state government also maintains laws intended to protect firefighters who have experienced job-related injuries or suffer from medical conditions.

With annual median wages above the national average in major cities like Phoenix and Sierra Vista, the 7% projected job growth increase for firefighters in Arizona supports opportunities for career growth. Similar growth rates for fire prevention specialists allow firefighters in the state to advance their careers and increase their earning potential.

In the interest of protecting firefighters and the public, Arizona has an interagency wildfire prevention and information website designed to provide the most up-to-date data on fire risks, weather, and air quality alerts. The state further promotes the safety of its firefighters through the Department of Forestry and Fire Management by providing physical trainings and wildland fire safety courses for firefighters in the state. The Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Academy awards certificates to firefighters each year that indicate a firefighter’s ability to handle dangerous and emergency situations. These credentials and the other programs all allow firefighters to build competencies and thrive in Arizona.

Benefiting from their close proximity to the Washington, D.C. area, many Maryland firefighters earn almost $59,000 a year, with those in Silver Spring and Baltimore drawing similarly high salaries. As a whole, firefighters in Maryland out earn their counterparts elsewhere, enjoying an annual median wage of more than $57,000.

The state of Maryland requires all probationary firefighters to be 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED, along with a valid driver’s license. In cities like Rockville, individuals who are 16 years old may apply for Junior Firefighter status. While some local and regional fire departments may maintain additional requirements, most firefighters in the state advance from probationary to fully-employed status through on-the-job training.

Maryland experiences a limited number of wildland fires each year, and the state’s Department of Natural Resources provides fire prevention and safety support and information for both firefighters and the general public.

Higher than average annual median wages and a projected 8% increase in fire safety jobs make Indiana a lucrative place to start or advance any firefighting career. Fire fighting and fire prevention supervisors in the state enjoy similar advantages. Firefighters working along the Michigan border and in the Indianapolis, Lafayette, and South Bend metropolitan centers draw particularly high salaries.

While the requirements to become a firefighter vary by municipality, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security oversees and approves rules, standards, and training practices for firefighters throughout the state. Prospective Indiana firefighters may pursue official certification or apply for reciprocity if they hold certification from another fire department. Recently, the city of Indianapolis increased eligibility guidelines for military servicemembers and veterans, allowing individuals under 40 who have completed at least 20 years of military service to apply for firefighter positions.

Firefighters across Connecticut benefit from a wealth of state-sponsored resources and a median annual wage that exceeds $65,000. In cities like Danbury, New Haven, and Bridgeport, firefighters earn more than $70,000 annually, which is $15,000 above the national median wage. Many recent upgrades within Connecticut fire departments also provide firefighters with access to state-of-the-art equipment. The New Britain fire department, for example, recently spent almost $2 million on updated vehicles.

Prospective Connecticut firefighters must first apply in an individual town or city before participating in the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control’s 70-day Recruit Firefighter program. While all candidates must be affiliated with one of the state’s fire departments, the program allows local recruits to take part in state training and resources. All recruits must reside at the Connecticut Fire Academy as they undergo training. The state also sponsors numerous specialized fire service and safety programs, including courses in terrorism prevention and hazardous materials.

Despite a fairly low 2% growth rate for firefighter positions statewide, Alaska offers fire safety professionals unprecedented levels of support and exceptional earning potential. Far exceeding the national median wage for all occupations, firefighters in Alaska draw an annual median wage of over $60,000. Positions in large cities like Anchorage are even more lucrative, with many professionals earning over $70,000 a year.

In addition to high salaries, Alaska firefighters benefit from the state’s commitment to standardization and continued government support. The Alaska Department of Public Safety sponsors a certification program for firefighters at every career level, offering high-quality training for basic and apprentice firefighters, airport firefighters, fire investigators, apparatus drivers, and technical crew members. Wildland firefighters receive resources and training through the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service, which provides oversight for fire support, operations, and management professionals and coordinates fire safety initiatives across the state.

North Carolina offers numerous professional growth opportunities for prospective and established firefighters alike. Available fire safety positions are projected to expand by 9%, leading to an increased demand for qualified firefighters and higher wages, particularly among firefighters in the state’s northern region. Professionals employed along the Virginia border typically draw the highest median wages.

Local, regional, and state institutions offer a wealth of training programs, specialized credentials, and career advancement opportunities for both municipal and wildland firefighters. The North Carolina Fire Service provides rural fire departments with the training needed to prevent, manage, and combat wildland fires. The North Carolina Office of the State Fire Marshal sponsors certifications, insurance programs, and fire safety information geared toward fire professionals and the general public alike. The state is also home to numerous agencies, associations, and initiatives like the North Carolina Firefighters Fund to support firefighters and their families through education.

Wisconsin is home to the nation’s fifth-highest concentration of firefighters, and this figure is projected to hold steady through 2026, as the state’s demand for fire safety professionals remains aligned with national rates. Despite its unusually large number of resident fire safety professionals, Wisconsin offers significant earning potential, particularly in the state’s northern and the southern metropolitan areas. In Sheboygan, the annual median income for firefighters exceeds $65,000, while professionals in Kenosha earn more than $56,000 each year.

To become a firefighter in Wisconsin, candidates must hold a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver’s license. Cities and metropolitan areas often maintain additional criteria, including written and oral exams. Milwaukee, for example, prepares firefighters and fire cadets for duty through a supportive, comprehensive program that addresses safety intervention, physical health and wellness, life support training, and hazardous response organization. Program graduates may obtain further certifications and through Wisconsin’s technical colleges.

Professionals in northeastern Ohio’s nonmetropolitan regions constitute one of the country’s largest groups of firefighters, and an exceptionally high number of firefighters live and work throughout the state. Employment opportunities and salaries are variable and location dependent, with cities like Cleveland projecting job growth rates above the statewide 3% figure. Cleveland firefighters also command wages above the national median, as do those employed in Columbus and Lima.

In recent years, many Ohio fire departments chose to define separate qualifications for firefighters and paramedics, making it easier for individuals to pursue fire safety positions and presenting new entry-level opportunities in the field.