Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Firefighters typically need a high school diploma and training in emergency medical services. Most firefighters receive training at a fire academy. Other credential requirements, such as emergency medical technician (EMT) certification, vary by state or locality. PayThe median annual wage for firefighters was $59,280 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 26,800 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for firefighters. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of firefighters with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about firefighters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Explore shorter-term education and training pathways that may prepare you for this type of work.
Pay
The median annual wage for firefighters was $59,280 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 26,800 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for firefighters. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of firefighters with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about firefighters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 26,800 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for firefighters. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of firefighters with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about firefighters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.
Work Environment
On the scene of a fire or other emergency, firefighters’ work may be dangerous. On call at fire stations, firefighters sleep, eat, and perform other duties during shifts that often last 24 hours. Most paid firefighters work full time.
How to Become a Firefighter
Firefighters typically need a high school diploma and training in emergency medical services. Most firefighters receive training at a fire academy. Other credential requirements, such as emergency medical technician (EMT) certification, vary by state or locality.
Pay
The median annual wage for firefighters was $59,280 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 26,800 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for firefighters.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of firefighters with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about firefighters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
On the scene of a fire or other emergency, firefighters’ work may be dangerous. On call at fire stations, firefighters sleep, eat, and perform other duties during shifts that often last 24 hours. Most paid firefighters work full time.
How to Become a Firefighter
Firefighters typically need a high school diploma and training in emergency medical services. Most firefighters receive training at a fire academy. Other credential requirements, such as emergency medical technician (EMT) certification, vary by state or locality.
Pay
The median annual wage for firefighters was $59,280 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 26,800 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for firefighters.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of firefighters with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about firefighters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for firefighters.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of firefighters with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about firefighters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about firefighters by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.