How much firefighters make

A written exam is usually required in order for a change in rank and, as an individual promotes, their responsibility grows, as well as their salary. Firefighters frequently earn overtime wages, training or education reimbursements, paid vacation time, and sick leave. Firefighters typically work 12 or hour shifts leading to longer intervals of time off, which is considered a benefit by many in the industry.

Firefighters typically have an option for early retirement, most often a firefighter is only required to have 20 years of service with their company, but the actual amount of pension may vary due to location and additional years of service. For instance, in Indiana, a firefighter with 20 years of service would receive 50 percent of the salary of a first-class firefighter in pension and for every additional 6 months of service, they would receive an additional 1 percent until reaching the cap of 74 percent.

In addition to salary information, anyone considering this career should take other factors into consideration to ensure that it is a career for them. Rachel Engel is the senior associate editor of FireRescue1. In addition to her regular editing duties, Engel seeks to tell the heroic, human stories of first responders and the importance of their work.

She earned her bachelor's degree in communications from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and began her career as a freelance writer, focusing on government and military issues. Engel joined Lexipol in and has since reported on issues related to public safety.

Engel lives in Wichita, Kansas. She can be reached via email. You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. You'll work closely with the local community to increase their level of fire safety awareness, in order to help prevent fires and accidents happening in the first place. Promoting fire safety and enforcing fire safety standards in public and commercial premises, you'll act and advise on all matters relating to the protection of life and property from fire and other risks.

In the role, you'll continually learn and update your knowledge through a series of lectures, exercises, practice drills and training, which are an integral and on-going part of the job.

Firefighters carry out a range of tasks. Some of these you'll do every day, while others are less frequent. They include:. At management level, you'll perform extra supervisory activities, which include managing operational incidents and directing the day-to-day tasks of personnel on fire stations.

You'll find that the operational aspects of firefighting, although important, are a minor part of a senior manager's role in a large service. Responsibilities typically include:. Retained firefighters are paid an annual retainer, dependent on their role in the service, plus a turn-out fee for each incident they attend. London firefighters are paid more. Income data from the Fire Brigades Union.

Figures are intended as a guide only. Hours of work typically include regular unsocial hours. You'll usually work 40 to 48 hours a week in a shift pattern. Most firefighters work two day shifts followed by two night shifts, before having four days off.

However, different services employ different duty systems, depending on their needs. When necessary, paid overtime is worked. Personal qualities and physical attributes are more important than academic qualifications, though a good general education is required. A degree or other further education qualifications are not essential and entry without a degree or HND is common.

There are, however, a number of vocationally-focused, graduate-entry degree courses available, such as:.

These courses don't guarantee entry into the fire and rescue service but aim to equip students with the skills needed to pursue a career in the fire industry. Other related degree courses in areas including fire engineering, fire safety and risk management or fire and explosion are also available. Search for postgraduate courses in fire safety engineering for more options.

You need to be aged 18 or over to become a firefighter. After successful completion of an application form, you'll go through the standard national selection process called the National Firefighter Selection NFS , as well as a Personal Qualities and Attributes PQA test to ensure you're suitable for the role. Applicants then move on to physical tests carried out in full firefighter uniform before attending an interview, and towards the end of the selection process you'll be invited to attend a medical.

Good vision in both eyes and good hearing are essential. One Southern state, Maryland, makes the top list of states where firefighters earn the most. Nevada has seen impressive growth in firefighter incomes. From to , the average annual income of firefighters rose by 7. In terms of states that pay firefighters the least, the U. South dominates the list.

The top-three worst-paying states are Mississippi, Louisiana and Kentucky, though followed by a New England state, Maine, in the fourth spot.

Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. City of Wyoming. State of Vermont. Was this information useful? Highest paying cities for Firefighters in United States 1.

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