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Fire fighter education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, fire fighters don't need a college education. The most common degree for fire fighters is bachelor's degree with 31% graduates, with only 28% fire fighter graduates earning associate degree. Fire fighters who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Columbia Southern University. Some good skills to have in this position include cpr, public safety and non-emergency calls.

Popular fire fighter certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate , Certified Fire Inspector II (CFI-II), or Medical Assistant. To improve fire fighter qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in fire fighter education paths.

What education do you need to become a fire fighter?

What degree do you need to be a fire fighter?

The most common degree for fire fighters is bachelor's degree, with 31% of fire fighters earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 28% and associate degree degree at 26%.
  • Bachelor's, 31%
  • Associate, 28%
  • High School Diploma, 26%
  • Diploma, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 9%

What should I major in to become a fire fighter?

You should major in fire science and protection to become a fire fighter. 26% of fire fighters major in fire science and protection. Other common majors for a fire fighter include criminal justice and business.

Best majors for fire fighters

20 best online courses for fire fighters

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1. The Effect of Fires on People, Property and the Environment

coursera

Fires impact people, property and the environment in all countries around the world. In some cases, the resulting losses are extraordinary, causing hundreds of deaths, widespread damage to property and contents and significant impacts on the environment. More often, fires may cause a single casualty or affect a single home, though the effects are still highly significant to those affected and collectively are substantial. This course will provide an overview of the challenges posed by fire as...

2. Foundations of Professional Identity

coursera

Many find themselves frustrated in their careers by lack of preparation for dealing with predictable dilemmas that regularly arise in the world of work. Two in five professionals fired in their jobs after college are terminated for lying, or misuse of technology. Easy to avoid! Or is it? What if you find you have to compromise your values to keep your job? What if they ask you to lie or cheat, even though you know if you are found out you will be fired? What if you find out the company is...

3. Basic Fire Safety Awareness

udemy
4.3
(776)

Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...

4. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert

udemy
4.3
(484)

Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...

5. NEBOSH FIRE SAFETY

udemy
4.4
(252)

Managing Fire Safety in Workplace...

6. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

udemy
4.4
(1,467)

Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

7. Mantaflow Fire & Smoke Simulation Guide in Blender

udemy
4.7
(335)

Learn everything there is to know about the Fire and Smoke Simulation in Blender!...

8. Sales Fire: B2B Sales & Business Development for Startups

udemy
4.6
(584)

The Ultimate Sales Methodology for Business Development & B2B Sales to Learn Sales Strategy, Sales Skills & Deal Closing...

9. Fire Starter Sessions Video Workshop with Danielle LaPorte

udemy
5
(1,189)

Strengthen your voice. Prioritize what's sacred. Define success — on your own terms. For Creatives & Entrepreneurs...

10. Occupational Health & Safety Training

udemy
4.4
(1,198)

Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

11. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

udemy
4.5
(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

12. Master the Craft of Artisan Pizza

udemy
4.5
(280)

Learn professional pizzarista techniques for making authentic, artisan pizza, in your domestic or wood fired oven...

13. High Voltage Electric Vehicle Safety

udemy
4.4
(302)

Electric Vehicle Safety Battery Pack Fire Safety Electric Shock Safety Accidental Safety High Voltage Components...

14. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

udemy
4.5
(783)

Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

15. Health & Safety Risk Assessment

udemy
4.4
(545)

Learn how to conduct a complete risk assessment in your workplace...

16. Diesel Engine Fundamentals (Mechanical Engineering)

udemy
4.6
(374)

Learn about the diesel engine! Ideal for Automotive Engineering and Automobile Engineering!...

17. Social Media Crisis Prevention

udemy
4.2
(277)

Get practical skills to protect your reputation and your organization against a social media meltdown...

18. Law of Attraction Life Coach Certification (Accredited)

udemy
4.7
(2,730)

Manifestation and Law of Attraction Life Coach Training for Abundance, Psychology, Happiness & Allowing Your Success...

19. The Legal Implications of Social Media in the Workplace

udemy
4.4
(1,475)

Regulatory and Case Law Considerations for Employers' Social Media Policy Development...

20. Unreal Engine C++ The Ultimate Shooter Course

udemy
4.7
(1,674)

Master Unreal Engine by Creating a Complete Shooter Game!...

Average fire fighter salary by education level

According to our data, fire fighters with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $68,559 annually. Fire fighters with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $59,018.
Fire fighter education levelFire fighter salary
High School Diploma or Less$52,921
Bachelor's Degree$68,559
Some College/ Associate Degree$59,018

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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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