Job Description
Fire fighters help protect the public against danger by responding to fires and a variety of other emergencies. In addition to putting out fires, they are frequently the first emergency personnel at the scene of a traffic accident or medical emergency.

Fire fighters work in a variety of settings, including metropolitan areas, rural areas with grasslands and forests, airports, chemical plants and other industrial sites.

• About 9 out of 10 fire fighting workers were employed by local governments.

• Applicants for city fire fighting jobs generally must pass written, physical, and medical examinations.

• Although employment is expected to grow faster than the average, fierce competition for jobs is expected because this occupation attracts many qualified candidates.

Median Salary
$45,264 (some city departments range as high as $76,000 annually)

Education Requirements
Most fire fighters have a high school diploma, however, an associate degree in fire science may improve an applicant’s chances for a job. A number of colleges and universities offer courses leading to 2- or 4-year degrees in fire engineering or fire science.

Job Outlook
Employment of workers in fire fighting occupations is expected to grow by 12 percent over the 2006-2016 decade, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. Most job growth will stem from volunteer fire fighting positions being converted to paid positions.