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Municipal Firefighters

General Information

Description

Control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. State and local government89.63%
  2. Federal government9.26%
  3. Private, for profit1.07%
  4. Self-employed0.04%

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

  • Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation)
  • Other Support Services
  • State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation)

Job Outlook

Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Although improved building materials and building codes have resulted in a long-term decrease in fires and fire fatalities, firefighters will still be needed to respond to fires. Fires can spread rapidly, so controlling them quickly is very important. Wildland firefighters will still be needed to combat active fires and manage the environment to reduce the impact of fires. Firefighters will also continue to respond to medical emergencies.

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Job Outlook

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Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Although improved building materials and building codes have resulted in a long-term decrease in fires and fire fatalities, firefighters will still be needed to respond to fires. Fires can spread rapidly, so controlling them quickly is very important. Wildland firefighters will still be needed to combat active fires and manage the environment to reduce the impact of fires. Firefighters will also continue to respond to medical emergencies.

Similar Careers

Related Military Careers

No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$50,000

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$75,420
$25,160
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 32%
  • Post-secondary certificate 26%
  • Some college 20%
  • Less than high school 8%
  • Associate's degree 7%
  • First professional degree 3%
  • 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

Knowledge

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

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
No Information for this section

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

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.