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What is a fire department battalion chief and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a fire department battalion chief. For example, did you know that they make an average of $25.82 an hour? That's $53,709 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 1,000 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreFire Department Battalion ChiefUS Average
Salary
4.2

Avg. Salary $53,709

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.86%

Asian 2.07%

Black or African American 3.28%

Hispanic or Latino 6.39%

Unknown 5.70%

White 81.69%

Gender

female 10.53%

male 89.47%

Age - 49
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49
Stress level
9.8

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a fire department battalion chief

  1. Explore fire department battalion chief education requirements

    Most common fire department battalion chief degrees

    Associate

    42.9 %

    Certificate

    28.6 %

    High School Diploma

    14.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific fire department battalion chief skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Emergency Response100.00%
  3. Complete relevant fire department battalion chief training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New fire department battalion chiefs learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a fire department battalion chief based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real fire department battalion chief resumes.
  4. Research fire department battalion chief duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the combat logistics operations center's daily operations and ensure efficient information flow between internal and external organizations.
    • Coordinate training with grind combat elements enablers in support of battalion operations.
    • Oversee burning and welding operations to ensure the safety of Chrysler's personal and property.
  5. Apply for fire department battalion chief jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a fire department battalion chief job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first fire department battalion chief job

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Average fire department battalion chief salary

The average fire department battalion chief salary in the United States is $53,709 per year or $26 per hour. Fire department battalion chief salaries range between $37,000 and $77,000 per year.

Average fire department battalion chief salary
$53,709 Yearly
$25.82 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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