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What is a state fire marshal 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 state fire marshal. For example, did you know that they make an average of $23.36 an hour? That's $48,598 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 6% and produce 1,000 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreState Fire MarshalUS Average
Salary
3.8

Avg. Salary $48,598

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
1.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.82%

Asian 2.25%

Black or African American 5.62%

Hispanic or Latino 8.07%

Unknown 5.66%

White 77.58%

Gender

female 17.57%

male 82.43%

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

State fire marshal career paths

Key steps to become a state fire marshal

  1. Explore state fire marshal education requirements

    Most common state fire marshal degrees

    Bachelor's

    51.3 %

    Associate

    30.3 %

    Master's

    9.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific state fire marshal skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Fire Protection30.79%
    Fire Prevention14.97%
    NFPA10.11%
    Fire Service6.55%
    Law Enforcement6.17%
  3. Complete relevant state fire marshal training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New state fire marshals 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 state fire marshal based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real state fire marshal resumes.
  4. Research state fire marshal duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the fleet of fire trucks, ambulances, and other vehicles.
    • Help return the heartbeat of an elderly gentleman after using CPR.
    • Determine ladder requirements, direct ladder placement, deploy personnel on ladders, and monitor ladder operations to ensure safety.
    • Coordinate and synchronize intelligence gathering assets with artillery, mortar, and aviation systems in support of complex tactical operations.
  5. Apply for state fire marshal jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a state fire marshal 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 state fire marshal job

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Average state fire marshal salary

The average state fire marshal salary in the United States is $48,598 per year or $23 per hour. State fire marshal salaries range between $33,000 and $69,000 per year.

Average state fire marshal salary
$48,598 Yearly
$23.36 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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