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Fire lieutenant vs fire fighter

The differences between fire lieutenants and fire fighters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a fire lieutenant and a fire fighter. Additionally, a fire fighter has an average salary of $56,792, which is higher than the $56,705 average annual salary of a fire lieutenant.

The top three skills for a fire lieutenant include emergency situations, EMT and life safety. The most important skills for a fire fighter are CPR, public safety, and non-emergency calls.

Fire lieutenant vs fire fighter overview

Fire LieutenantFire Fighter
Yearly salary$56,705$56,792
Hourly rate$27.26$27.30
Growth rate4%6%
Number of jobs3,6653,398
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age4949
Years of experience88

Fire lieutenant vs fire fighter salary

Fire lieutenants and fire fighters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fire LieutenantFire Fighter
Average salary$56,705$56,792
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $80,000Between $35,000 And $89,000
Highest paying City-East Chicago, IN
Highest paying state-Indiana
Best paying company-1 8 3 Lanes
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between fire lieutenant and fire fighter education

There are a few differences between a fire lieutenant and a fire fighter in terms of educational background:

Fire LieutenantFire Fighter
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 38%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common majorFire Science And ProtectionFire Science And Protection
Most common collegeSan Diego State University-

Fire lieutenant vs fire fighter demographics

Here are the differences between fire lieutenants' and fire fighters' demographics:

Fire LieutenantFire Fighter
Average age4949
Gender ratioMale, 96.5% Female, 3.5%Male, 81.9% Female, 18.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.3% Asian, 2.3% White, 77.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 2.3% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between fire lieutenant and fire fighter duties and responsibilities

Fire lieutenant example responsibilities.

  • Manage the combat logistics operations center's daily operations and ensure efficient information flow between internal and external organizations.
  • Apply lifesaving, firefighting, and prevention principles, practices, tools and techniques, and equipment to practical scenarios.
  • Evaluate firefighting methods and apparatus performance regarding new equipment and equipment utilize during emergency calls.
  • Render advanced paramedical care to injure or ill patients as required ensuring compliance with department regulations, protocol, and procedure.
  • Organize medication boxes/inventory and provide ALS care
  • Coordinate and synchronize intelligence gathering assets with artillery, mortar, and aviation systems in support of complex tactical operations.

Fire fighter example responsibilities.

  • Lead infantry teams in combat operations, providing tactical and technical guidance to subordinates and professional support to superiors.
  • Administer medical care to injure people, providing CPR, first aid, as well as other emergency responses.
  • Task with testing SCBA, centrifugal pump systems, foam induction systems, structural gear inspections and HAZMAT equipment.
  • Cut and clear brush, dig trenches in order to create fire lines, using axes, chainsaws or shovels.
  • Maintain SCBA equipment and records.
  • Serve as paramedic on ALS transport ambulance.
  • Show more

Fire lieutenant vs fire fighter skills

Common fire lieutenant skills
  • Emergency Situations, 10%
  • EMT, 8%
  • Life Safety, 5%
  • Hazardous Materials, 5%
  • Fire Suppression, 4%
  • Hazmat, 4%
Common fire fighter skills
  • CPR, 7%
  • Public Safety, 7%
  • Non-Emergency Calls, 6%
  • Fire Prevention, 5%
  • Fire Suppression, 4%
  • Hazmat, 4%

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