Fire trucks are essential transport for firefighters.
Firefighters protect lives and property from fires and other emergencies. They can work in densely populated cities, small towns, rural areas, forests or industrial facilities. A high school diploma is the typical minimum requirement for applying to be a firefighter; successful applicants usually spend several weeks training at a fire academy.
Environment
Much of the firefighters' time is spent at the station maintaining equipment and learning additional skills. However, their work becomes hazardous when they respond to fires, which can happen at any time of day or night,or in any weather. Common causes of injury or death on the job include collapsing walls, floors caving in, exposure to flame and smoke, and exploding substances. The necessary protective gear can become heavy and hot. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, firefighters earn a median of $21.66 per hour, with a range of $11.05 to $35.76 as of May 2009.
Employers
The biggest employer of firefighters is local government; municipal fire departments account for 91 percent of the 305,500 jobs in 2009, according to the BLS. Salaries for municipal firefighters are near average at $23.01. The best-paying employers are computer systems design and services, where knowledge of putting out fires without damaging sensitive equipment is essential. The hourly pay at these jobs is $30.57.
Geography
The state with the best opportunities for firefighters is Ohio, with a job concentration of 3.8 per 1,000 workers; however compensation is below average at $19.79. The best pay rates are in New Jersey at $34.53. For cities, the best concentration of jobs is in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, with 9.5 positions per 1,000, but the pay here is low at $16.83. The best-paying opportunties are in Los Angeles, with a mean wage of $44.18 and a concentration of 2.0. positions per 1,000 workers.
Outlook
The BLS sees firefighting positions increasing at 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is faster than average. Much of the growth will come from volunteer firefighting positions being converted to paid jobs. The increasing density of cities also will increase demand. Competition will be keen because of the low educational requirements and the guaranteed pension after 25 years of service. The number of applicants usually exceeds the available job openings.
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