Firefighters
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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Firefighters to increase by 3.7% between 2024 and 2034, from 355,300 to 368,400 jobs. Its estimate of 26,800 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($59,280), education (Postsecondary nondegree award), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
355,300
Projected employment (2034)
368,400
Projected change (2024–2034)
4%
Annual openings (projected average)
26,800
Pay & Preparation
$59,280
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
Long-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Coordination (3.88/5) • Critical Thinking (3.62/5) • Active Listening (3.62/5) • Active Learning (3.62/5) • Speaking (3.5/5) • Service Orientation (3.5/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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