At the very minimum, youll need to obtain a high school diploma or GED. Many firefighters earn a degree in fire science to advance their career. Its also wise to become an EMT. Some departments might even require an EMT certification; larger departments may require a paramedics license.
Do firefighters get paid well?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average firefighter makes about $50,850 annually or $24.45 per hour. For instance, Los Angeles is one of the top ten cities for the highest-paid firefighters. A rookie salary starts around $63,216 and a top earner makes around $92,400.
Do you need qualifications to be a fireman?
You dont need any particular qualifications to become a firefighter, however youll be expected to sit tests at a similar level to English and Maths GCSEs.
How long does a firefighter go to school?
The average fire academy program takes about 12 to 14 weeks to complete a total of 600 hours of training. While most programs want all students to enter at the same time, some have staggered entrance options. Generally, youll need to commit anywhere from 40 to 48 hours weekly to undergo the program.
How tall do you have to be to be a firefighter?
There is no minimum height requirement to be a firefighter. However, there may be certain job-specific tasks that firefighters need to be able to perform that could be more challenging or even not possible for a shorter person.
Is firefighter a good career?
Firefighting is a rewarding career that offers a very high level of job satisfaction. Being a firefighter is a great job if you enjoy helping people and serving your community, but be aware that it can be demanding, stressful, and even dangerous at times.
If you include extra pay and overtime, its very possible for many firefighters to make over six figures per year. If you are in a more average paying area, you can still make more than 100 thousand dollars per year, depending on how much overtime hours are available and how much you are willing to work.
Who gets paid more cops or firefighters?
The BLS May 2019 salary data showed an average police officer wage of $67,600, with most wages ranging from $36,960 to $105,230. The BLS data listed a lower $54,650 average firefighter salary in the U.S. with most making between $25,550 and $90,020.