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Job outlook for firefighter/medics in the United States
Firefighter/medic job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected firefighter/medic job growth rate is 7% from 2018-2028.
About 18,700 new jobs for firefighter/medics are projected over the next decade.
Firefighter/medic salaries have increased 7% for firefighter/medics in the last 5 years.
There are over 7,408 firefighter/medics currently employed in the United States.
There are 7,592 active firefighter/medic job openings in the US.
The average firefighter/medic salary is $51,037.
Are firefighter/medic jobs in demand?
Firefighter/medic job and salary trends over time
Firefighter/medic jobs over time
Firefighter/medic job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,408 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 7,402 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 7,486 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,388 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,235 | 0.00% |
Average firefighter/medic salary over time
Firefighter/medic salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,037 | $24.54 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $49,650 | $23.87 | --0.7% |
| 2023 | $50,008 | $24.04 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $48,638 | $23.38 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $47,604 | $22.89 | +2.2% |
Firefighter/medic jobs by state
Most common states for firefighter/medics
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 65 | 3% |
| 2 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 147 | 2% |
| 3 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 131 | 2% |
| 4 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 44 | 2% |
| 5 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 42 | 2% |
| 6 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 14 | 2% |
| 7 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 345 | 1% |
| 8 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 163 | 1% |
| 9 | New York | 19,849,399 | 161 | 1% |
| 10 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 93 | 1% |
| 11 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 92 | 1% |
| 12 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 83 | 1% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 61 | 1% |
| 14 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 47 | 1% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 32 | 1% |
| 16 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 32 | 1% |
| 17 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 23 | 1% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 21 | 1% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 18 | 1% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 17 | 1% |
Most common cities for firefighter/medics
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lebanon | 1 | 3% | $53,898 |
| 2 | Post Falls | 1 | 3% | $48,076 |
| 3 | Weslaco | 1 | 2% | $52,631 |
| 4 | Canton | 1 | 1% | $51,489 |
| 5 | Thornton | 1 | 1% | $52,421 |
Firefighter/Medic job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of firefighter/medic experts
University of Akron
University of North Texas
Eastern Oregon University
Austin Community College
National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
NENA
Shawn Steadman
What general advice would you give to a Firefighter/Medic?
Shawn Steadman: Having a degree is now becoming a preliminary requirement in the industry. However, the expectation that is becoming more prevalent is a combination of degree and experience. Experience can be gained by volunteering with agencies and organizations during the degree seeking years. This will provide the graduate with an advantage when looking for a position after graduation. In addition, don’t forget the openings in the private sector, not just the public sector. Many organizations perform the same functions as traditional public emergency managers but refer to it as risk management and business continuity. It is no surprise that private sector entities can offer more attractive salaries. There are direct correlations to the financial impact of disasters on their specific organization.
What Firefighter/Medic skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shawn Steadman: The industry or field is growing exponentially. More and more organizations are realizing the value of emergency management and homeland security professionals in aiding their planning and operations. An area experiencing extreme growth is situational awareness and, more specifically, GIS and AI in assisting Command in managing disasters. This influx of technology includes the use of small, uncrewed aviation systems (sUAS) or drones and cyber security. There should be a balance between management skills and technological skills for individuals in the field. This rapid growth and technological advancement present exciting opportunities for learning and career development.
What will help Firefighter/Medics increase their earning potential?
Shawn Steadman: The career path chosen is limited only by a graduate’s interest. If you can imagine an entire community affected by an incident, the amount of coordination and collaboration to mitigate, prepare, respond, and recover between all facets of a community is sometimes mind-boggling. Instead of protecting and saving a single or small group of individuals, the field is responsible for saving extremely large amounts of the population. Life safety is the primary objective, and the public expects this from the field. However, the public also expects members of the field to protect and respond to infrastructure and physical assets, including those assets that may have disastrous effects on the economy.
What general advice would you give to a Firefighter/Medic?
Matthew Claflin: Candidates can increase their salary potential by obtaining higher education and certifications. Most fire departments in the country will have monetary benefits and salary increases for candidates who hold degrees related to Fire and Emergency Services, and extra certifications like Paramedic certifications, Hazardous Materials Technician, Tactical EMS, High-Angle Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, etc. It is important to note that new candidates will have a better chance of being promoted to higher ranks within organizations when they hold more certifications and degrees related to the fire and emergency services field. Promoting within organizations also means increases in salaries.
What Firefighter/Medic skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Matthew Claflin: Experience with EMS, specifically paramedic abilities and licensure, will be the most valuable asset for potential new hires. Due to aging populations, fire departments in the country are seeing a large increase in emergency medical calls. The need for paramedics with experience will be critical over the next 3-5 years.
What will help Firefighter/Medics increase their earning potential?
Matthew Claflin: Obtain as many certifications as possible to make yourself marketable for employment. New people entering the fire service should apply to as many organizations as possible. Full-time career departments still only make up about 30% of fire departments in the country, so it is essential to cast a broad net to obtain potential employment opportunities.
What general advice would you give to a Firefighter/Medic?
Elyse Zavar PhD: Prior to entering the field, gaining hands-on experience through internships and volunteer opportunities can help new professionals not only stand out in the job market, but many employers will recognize and count these as years of experience thus increasing salaries. When offered a position, research comparable salaries and do not be afraid to negotiate salary, among other benefits, when discussing a job offer.
What Firefighter/Medic skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Elyse Zavar PhD: Skills working with people will always be critical for professionals in homeland security. Along with that, the ability to learn and adapt are vital in a dynamic field with evolving technology, emergent hazards, and changing policies. In the next 3-5 years, we will only see increased demand for these skills, especially as climate change continues to alter hazards and risks.
What will help Firefighter/Medics increase their earning potential?
Elyse Zavar PhD: At the core of the field of Emergency Management, and more broadly Homeland Security, is the goal to keep people and communities safe. To do this well, we have to know our communities which requires meeting stakeholders, asking questions, and listening to their experiences. I encourage all new professionals to build a professional network of individuals with diverse experiences who can serve as mentors and resources as you progress throughout your career. And then, as you do advance, reach back out to early career professionals to assist them with their professional development.
What skills stand out on Firefighter/Medic resumes?
Kevin Walker: Everyone has roughly the same basic skills required for a position, or they're simply unqualified. Skills that stand out tend to be those that go above and beyond the basics. For example: Do you speak a second (or more) language? Do you have education or training in advanced oral and written communications? Do you have proficiency in office suite applications, particularly in Excel? Have you gained expertise in grant writing? Have you trained in a specialty area such as rescue diving or high-angle rescue? Have you acquired specialty certifications through a recognized authority (particularly if your new department has a need for them and no resources to send someone to train)?
What soft skills should all Firefighter/Medics possess?
Kevin Walker: In my opinion, the soft skills that are the most important, in no particular order, are emotional intelligence (the ability to 'read the room'), intercultural competency (the ability to interact with multiple cultures without offending everyone), the ability to work in a team environment (leading OR following), communication (especially under high-stress conditions), managing stress (poor stress management leads to health and performance issues), understanding conflict management and how to effectively deal with it, being open to constructive criticism, and understanding leadership. That's particularly important in that leadership is often equated with being a "born leader," which is mostly nonsense. You actually have to study leadership and learn to apply it. There are many leadership styles, and you have to match one to your personality. Understanding what works and what doesn't and, most importantly, WHY? This includes the ability to identify and understand leader/follower motivations so you can work effectively as a leader. Obviously, you can write a treatise on each of these soft skills, and many people have (and there are other recognized soft skills), but these are the soft skills that I've had the most experience and feedback as being most in demand.
What skills will help Firefighter/Medics earn the most?
Kevin Walker: Earnings tend to follow expertise and flexibility in fire and EMS. The more training, experience, and 'extra abilities you bring to the table, the more promotional job options you have. Being fluent in a second language, for example, often goes along with a bonus as you have the ability to converse with someone without proficiency in English. You can imagine the advantages of a crisis! Many departments specifically recruit dual language speakers with higher salaries commensurate with the additional valuable skill. The same thing applies to other types of additional skills and experience. Someone who has studied grant writing and has successfully written grants tends to be well compensated because they bring in money, and no one wants to lose them. Those are just some examples of how doing more than just the minimum can pay off in your career!
What hard/technical skills are most important for Firefighter/Medics?
Kevin Walker: Identifying the most important technical skills is rather dependent on the department and position being sought. Required skills are usually set by regulations, SOGs, or SOPs, so identifying those as 'most important' misses the point. They're a minimum job requirement. However, understanding of and adherence to established standards and training is absolutely critical! Emergency situations are not the place to wing it. Learning to 'read' a fire or EMS scene, learning to assess threats and evaluate resources and options quickly and accurately, and learning to apply resources effectively to minimize loss and maximize life and safety are as essential to a career as to how to connect a hose, climb a ladder, or start an IV.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Firefighter/Medics to find work opportunities?
Don Gwynn: The EMS field is continually growing nationwide. Opportunities vary by location, with the larger cities experiencing the highest needs.
How do you envision technology impacting Firefighter/Medics in the next 5 years?
Don Gwynn: EMS is one of the fastest-growing aspects of the medical field, in terms of technology. ER physicians are expecting more each year from EMS, since the prehospital environment is often first-line in medical care, both emergent and nonemergent. This is likely to grow as a consequence of the pandemic. The ambulance is essentially a mobile emergency department.
What type of skills will young Firefighter/Medics need?
Bill Seifarth: Since most states require National Certification for licensure, the National Registry plays a vital role in the pathway to employment for new EMS professionals. The National Registry's mission is to protect the public by establishing standards and measuring competency throughout an EMS professional's career. Holding a National Registry Certification, whether you are an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT), or Paramedic, demonstrates your commitment to the patients you care for and the community you serve.
The global pandemic showed us the urgent need for medical professionals, especially those like EMTs and Paramedics in the prehospital setting. Additionally, the role of EMTs and Paramedics is evolving. Today EMS professionals work in diverse settings beyond a traditional prehospital ambulance service. National Registry certifications are held by EMS professionals working in hospitals and emergency departments, private medical practices, and community paramedicine, just to name a few.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Firefighter/Medics to find work opportunities?
Bill Seifarth: For those working in a state that participates in the EMS Compact, the Compact EMS practitioners flexibility and protection to practice across state lines, especially in times of natural disaster relief, like tornadoes and wildfires, but also for large-scale planned events such as concerts and sporting events.
What type of skills will young Firefighter/Medics need?
April Heinze: If graduates are looking for a position within public safety communications, some skills and abilities they would need include, but are not limited to, the following:
Skills:
-Keyboarding/Typing
-Multitasking
-Decision-making
-Critical thinking
-Verbal and written communication skills
-Ability to work as a team
-Active listening/hearing
-Customer service
-Call control
-Conflict resolution
-Problem-solving
-Analytical
-Troubleshooting
Abilities:
-Quick decision-making
-Empathy
-Respect
-Patience
-Even-temper
-Integrity
-Lifelong learner
-Dependable
-Flexible
-Efficient
-Detail-oriented
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Firefighter/Medics to find work opportunities?
April Heinze: There are job opportunities within the public safety communications field all across the United States. Prospective candidates simply need to go to the local, county, and/or state municipality websites and search for job vacancies.