To become a firefighter in the US, you typically need a high school diploma, training in emergency medical services (often EMT certification), and to pass written and physical tests and interviews. If you're hired, you train for a few months at a fire academy and then complete a probationary period. Most departments also want you to be at least 18 with a valid driver's license.
The EMT part is where many applicants fall short. BLS says fire departments may require EMT certification, and it usually needs some postsecondary instruction in assessing patients, dealing with trauma and clearing obstructed airways. Getting it before you apply makes you a stronger candidate.
The steps and figures below come from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook, read in October 2026.
Firefighters in numbers
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $59,280 a year, $28.50 an hour |
| Lowest 10% and highest 10% | Under $34,910 and over $101,040 |
| Typical entry-level education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Jobs in 2025 | 355,300 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 4%, about as fast as average |
| Openings each year | About 26,800 on average |
| Work for local government | 87% |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026. Median pay was $64,980 in state government and $59,850 in local government.
How to become a firefighter, step by step
- Finish high school or get an equivalent.
- Get EMT training. Requirements vary by city and state, and some departments also look for paramedic certification.
- Meet the basics: typically at least 18 years old with a valid driver's license.
- Pass the written and physical tests and the interviews.
- Pass the medical exam and drug screening to be hired.
- Complete fire academy training, usually a few months, run by the department or the state.
- Finish your probationary period, then keep up continuing education, routine fitness assessments and any random drug tests.
What the academy teaches
BLS says recruits learn firefighting and fire-prevention techniques, local building codes and emergency medical procedures. They also learn to fight fires with standard equipment, including axes, chain saws, fire extinguishers and ladders. Some firefighters later attend federal training run by the National Fire Academy on subjects such as anti-arson techniques, disaster preparedness and hazardous materials control.
Depending on where you work, you may also need a commercial driver's license (CDL) or a driver's license with a firefighter endorsement to drive a fire truck.
The insight: volunteering counts
Here's a figure that surprises most people. BLS says volunteer firefighters account for the largest share of firefighters nationwide, especially in communities of fewer than 25,000 people, and they share the same duties as paid firefighters. BLS also says working as a volunteer firefighter may help you get a job as a career firefighter. If you're serious, volunteering is the most direct way to get real experience before your first application.
The schedule
Firefighting isn't a nine to five. BLS gives the example of 24-hour shifts on duty followed by 48 or 72 hours off. Overtime is common and hours vary. On call at the station, firefighters sleep, eat and work on equipment between emergencies. Protective gear can be very heavy and hot, which is why the physical tests matter.
Wildland firefighting is its own path. BLS says wildland firefighters may attend apprenticeship programs lasting up to 4 years, may stay in fire camps for days or weeks during a fire, and may have seasonal work with limited hours at certain times of year.
Preparing your application
Departments receive lots of applications, so the details matter. List your EMT and any CPR credentials clearly: here's how to put CPR certification on a resume so it isn't missed. For the interview stage, practise out loud with these ChatGPT prompts for job interviews, and prepare examples of teamwork under pressure.
Qualities departments look for
- Communication: explaining conditions at a scene to other crews.
- Compassion: giving emotional support to people in emergencies, as EMTs and paramedics do.
- Decision-making: making hard choices quickly, sometimes in life-or-death situations.
- Mental preparedness: handling the stress of entering a burning building or treating medical emergencies.
- Physical strength and stamina: carrying heavy equipment and people who can't walk, and staying at disaster scenes for long periods.
Continuing education doesn't stop after the academy either. BLS says firefighters must complete it to obtain or maintain credentials such as EMT certification, and CareerOneStop lists the certifications available. Budget time for it every year so your credentials never lapse.
Career progression
BLS lists the usual ladder: engineer, then lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, deputy chief and chief. For roles above battalion chief, many departments want a bachelor's degree, preferably in fire science, public administration or a related field. Some firefighters become fire inspectors or investigators after gaining experience.
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My verdict
If you're fit, calm in a crisis and want to serve your community, firefighting is a career you can start without a degree. Get your EMT training early, volunteer if your area has a volunteer department, and train for the physical test months before you need it. Competition can be strong, but with about 26,800 openings a year, prepared candidates get through.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a firefighter?
Fire academy training usually lasts a few months, followed by a probationary period. EMT training before you apply adds more time.
Do you need EMT certification to be a firefighter?
Many departments require it. BLS says fire departments may require EMT certification, and requirements vary by city and state.
How old do you have to be to be a firefighter?
Applicants typically must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license, according to BLS.
How much do firefighters make?
BLS reports median pay of $59,280 a year in May 2025, as of October 2026.
What shifts do firefighters work?
Hours vary. BLS gives the example of 24-hour shifts on duty followed by 48 or 72 hours off.
Do firefighters need a special driver's license?
In some places, yes. BLS says some states or localities require a commercial driver's license or a driver's license with a firefighter endorsement to operate a fire truck.
Can firefighters get promoted?
Yes. BLS lists engineer, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, deputy chief and chief, and many departments want a bachelor's degree above battalion chief.
Does volunteering help you become a firefighter?
Yes. BLS says working as a volunteer firefighter may be helpful in getting a job as a career firefighter.
