Becoming a Fireman via Online Education?
At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths.
Kaplan University, one of the highest ranking online
schools,
is a US school (accredited) offering fire courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
firemen,
police officers,
firewomen,
firefighters,
detectives,
sargents,
cops,
fire prevention specialists, etc.
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 305,500 people employed as
fire fighters alone in America, and their average annual salary is
$47,270.
Firstline supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers make on average $71,680
per year and there are about 57,750
of them employed today.
Colleges and universities like Kaplan University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into
this
field.
Typical Work Locations for a Fireman
- airport
- factory
- forest
- rural area
- metropolitan area
- chemical plant
- hazardous materials unit
- fire station
- county complex
- city complex
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Fireman
- serve the people
- have higher job satisfaction
- serve your country
- save lives
- make your life meaningful
- have good salary and benefits
- have higher increments
- have growth opportunities
- work flexible hours
- live life as a hero
Potential Drawbacks
- endure extremely hazardous conditions
- work long irregular shifts
- be on call and respond immediately when needed
- clean the firetruck hoses and other firefighting equipment
- deal with extremely disturbing situations such as death
- work out regularly to meet the physical demands of the job
- stay up to date and informed by attending numerous classes and seminars
- stay overnight with co-workers in the fire station
- drive a firetruck which is very difficult to maneuver and tiring
- be present for work unless you have someone else who can work for you
Related Professions to Consider
- Firefighter
- Fire Technician
Emergency Response Officer
- Industrial firefighter
- Firefighters instructor
- EMT Fire Technician
- Training Officer
- Safety and Training Coordinator
- Professor
- Drivers and ATM Technician
- Forest Firefighter
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Fireman
- What education or training have you undertake that makes you fit for this profession?
- Why do you want this job Why firefighter?
- What are the job responsibilities of a firefighter?
- What do you think is the role of the fire department?
- What is the most important aspect of being a fire fighter?
- Do you have any allergies or medical conditions that would hamper your job as a firefighter?
- Do you need to learn something new that is related to firefighting What are your development needs?
- Have you initiated improvement on work methods and suggested higher standards?
- Did you have a volunteering experience How did this experience prepare you to be a firefighter?
- How do you cope with stressful situations in general?
Common Collaborating Professions
- Fireman's Fund Insurance
- Boiler Fireman
- Maintenance Mechanic
- Solution Engineer
- Firefighter Apprentice
- Police Officer
- Volunteer Fireman
- Enterprise Architect
- Director of OE
- Claims Adjuster
Fireman Training books
Fireman (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- aviation science
- biology
- biotechnology
- environmental science
- fire science
- Gis
- mathematical statistics
- physics
- veterinary science
- social science
Fireman Salary Information
Category: Firstline supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers
| Total # Employed in the US |
57,750 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$34.46/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $20.04 |
$25.88 |
$32.81 |
$41.92 |
$52.76 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$71,680 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $41,680 |
$53,820 |
$68,250 |
$87,190 |
$109,750 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.8% |
18.3% |
36.6% |
22.3% |
18.9% |
2.9% |
0.3% |
|
Firstline supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| North Dakota |
$47.71/hr
|
$99,240
|
| Kansas |
$46.75/hr
|
$97,250
|
| Colorado |
$44.74/hr
|
$93,060
|
| Oklahoma |
$42.44/hr
|
$88,280
|
| Hawaii |
$37.88/hr
|
$78,800
|
| Indiana |
$37.38/hr
|
$77,740
|
| New York |
$36.26/hr
|
$75,410
|
| Connecticut |
$35.14/hr
|
$73,090
|
| Arkansas |
$34.75/hr
|
$72,270
|
| Tennessee |
$34.53/hr
|
$71,820
|
| Delaware |
$34.09/hr
|
$70,900
|
| Utah |
$33.8/hr
|
$70,300
|
| Missouri |
$33.5/hr
|
$69,680
|
| Alaska |
$32.8/hr
|
$68,220
|
| Mississippi |
$32.26/hr
|
$67,090
|
| Wyoming |
$31.87/hr
|
$66,290
|
| Virginia |
$31.83/hr
|
$66,220
|
| West Virginia |
$31.5/hr
|
$65,520
|
| New Mexico |
$31.38/hr
|
$65,280
|
| South Carolina |
$31.1/hr
|
$64,690
|
| New Hampshire |
$31.08/hr
|
$64,650
|
| Nebraska |
$30.69/hr
|
$63,830
|
| Montana |
$30.66/hr
|
$63,770
|
| Pennsylvania |
$29.62/hr
|
$61,600
|
| South Dakota |
$28.96/hr
|
$60,230
|
| Alabama |
$28.81/hr
|
$59,920
|
| North Carolina |
$28.67/hr
|
$59,630
|
| Guam |
$28.42/hr
|
$59,110
|
| Oregon |
$28.04/hr
|
$58,320
|
| Iowa |
$27.75/hr
|
$57,720
|
| Kentucky |
$27.75/hr
|
$57,730
|
| Louisiana |
$27.28/hr
|
$56,730
|
| Wisconsin |
$27.14/hr
|
$56,450
|
| Maine |
$26.6/hr
|
$55,320
|
| California |
$26.28/hr
|
$54,650
|
| Idaho |
$25.59/hr
|
$53,220
|
| Ohio |
$24.97/hr
|
$51,940
|
| Maryland |
$24.83/hr
|
$51,640
|
| Michigan |
$24.32/hr
|
$50,580
|
| Washington |
$24.2/hr
|
$50,340
|
| Massachusetts |
$24.09/hr
|
$50,110
|
| New Jersey |
$23.88/hr
|
$49,660
|
| Nevada |
$19.78/hr
|
$41,150
|
Category: Fire inspectors and investigators
| Total # Employed in the US |
12,180 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$27.07/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $15.89 |
$19.99 |
$25.83 |
$33.18 |
$41.06 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$56,310 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $33,040 |
$41,570 |
$53,720 |
$69,010 |
$85,400 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 2.7% |
21.4% |
31.6% |
15.8% |
23.3% |
5.2% |
0.0% |
|
Fire inspectors and investigators — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Colorado |
$40.38/hr
|
$83,990
|
| New York |
$35.42/hr
|
$73,670
|
| Florida |
$34.91/hr
|
$72,620
|
| Tennessee |
$34.24/hr
|
$71,220
|
| Nebraska |
$31.36/hr
|
$65,240
|
| Louisiana |
$30.43/hr
|
$63,300
|
| Connecticut |
$30.25/hr
|
$62,920
|
| Kansas |
$29.84/hr
|
$62,080
|
| Missouri |
$29.75/hr
|
$61,870
|
| Arkansas |
$28.34/hr
|
$58,950
|
| Mississippi |
$27.97/hr
|
$58,170
|
| South Dakota |
$27.89/hr
|
$58,020
|
| Oklahoma |
$27.6/hr
|
$57,410
|
| North Dakota |
$27.55/hr
|
$57,300
|
| Hawaii |
$27.54/hr
|
$57,290
|
| Iowa |
$26.78/hr
|
$55,700
|
| North Carolina |
$26.74/hr
|
$55,610
|
| Montana |
$25.1/hr
|
$52,210
|
| Delaware |
$24.95/hr
|
$51,900
|
| Wyoming |
$24.88/hr
|
$51,750
|
| Alabama |
$24.83/hr
|
$51,650
|
| Virginia |
$24.8/hr
|
$51,590
|
| Ohio |
$24.8/hr
|
$51,590
|
| Maine |
$24.55/hr
|
$51,060
|
| New Hampshire |
$24.43/hr
|
$50,820
|
| Kentucky |
$23.99/hr
|
$49,890
|
| Puerto Rico |
$23.57/hr
|
$49,020
|
| Guam |
$23.54/hr
|
$48,970
|
| Oregon |
$23.47/hr
|
$48,820
|
| South Carolina |
$23.17/hr
|
$48,180
|
| Wisconsin |
$23.12/hr
|
$48,080
|
| Idaho |
$22.9/hr
|
$47,630
|
| District of Columbia |
$22.8/hr
|
$47,430
|
| Michigan |
$22.44/hr
|
$46,670
|
| Massachusetts |
$22.41/hr
|
$46,620
|
| Utah |
$21.39/hr
|
$44,500
|
| California |
$20.67/hr
|
$42,990
|
| Maryland |
$19.98/hr
|
$41,550
|
| Washington |
$18.87/hr
|
$39,250
|
| Nevada |
$18.09/hr
|
$37,630
|
| Pennsylvania |
$17.69/hr
|
$36,790
|
Category: Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists
| Total # Employed in the US |
1,540 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$18.36/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $9.72 |
$12.27 |
$15.83 |
$23.19 |
$31.11 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$38,180 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $20,230 |
$25,510 |
$32,940 |
$48,230 |
$64,720 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 2.7% |
21.4% |
31.6% |
15.8% |
23.3% |
5.2% |
0.0% |
|
Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Colorado |
$33.87/hr
|
$70,450
|
| North Dakota |
$26.25/hr
|
$54,600
|
| Oklahoma |
$25.17/hr
|
$52,350
|
| Idaho |
$18.48/hr
|
$38,450
|
| Tennessee |
$17.65/hr
|
$36,710
|
| Alabama |
$14/hr
|
$29,120
|
| North Carolina |
$13.89/hr
|
$28,900
|
| California |
$13.73/hr
|
$28,550
|
| South Dakota |
$12.76/hr
|
$26,540
|
Category: Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers
| Total # Employed in the US |
98,090 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$17.53/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $10.67 |
$13.24 |
$16.73 |
$20.99 |
$25.57 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$36,470 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $22,200 |
$27,550 |
$34,790 |
$43,660 |
$53,190 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 6.0% |
36.7% |
35.5% |
10.5% |
10.0% |
1.1% |
0.2% |
|
Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Colorado |
$25.4/hr
|
$52,830
|
| New York |
$24.69/hr
|
$51,360
|
| Tennessee |
$21.61/hr
|
$44,960
|
| Kansas |
$21.53/hr
|
$44,790
|
| Delaware |
$20.7/hr
|
$43,060
|
| Indiana |
$20.6/hr
|
$42,840
|
| Connecticut |
$20.33/hr
|
$42,290
|
| Mississippi |
$20.15/hr
|
$41,910
|
| Nebraska |
$19.65/hr
|
$40,870
|
| North Dakota |
$19.52/hr
|
$40,600
|
| Alaska |
$19.51/hr
|
$40,570
|
| Oklahoma |
$19.2/hr
|
$39,940
|
| Arkansas |
$19.14/hr
|
$39,810
|
| Montana |
$18.95/hr
|
$39,420
|
| Missouri |
$18.7/hr
|
$38,890
|
| District of Columbia |
$18.43/hr
|
$38,330
|
| Puerto Rico |
$18.04/hr
|
$37,510
|
| Hawaii |
$18.04/hr
|
$37,520
|
| Utah |
$17.96/hr
|
$37,360
|
| Virginia |
$17.96/hr
|
$37,370
|
| South Carolina |
$17.57/hr
|
$36,540
|
| North Carolina |
$17.4/hr
|
$36,200
|
| Louisiana |
$16.88/hr
|
$35,110
|
| Michigan |
$16.63/hr
|
$34,580
|
| Iowa |
$16.6/hr
|
$34,530
|
| Guam |
$15.93/hr
|
$33,130
|
| Pennsylvania |
$15.79/hr
|
$32,850
|
| Wyoming |
$15.22/hr
|
$31,650
|
| Oregon |
$14.95/hr
|
$31,090
|
| Wisconsin |
$14.82/hr
|
$30,820
|
| Kentucky |
$14.8/hr
|
$30,780
|
| Ohio |
$14.5/hr
|
$30,160
|
| New Hampshire |
$14.42/hr
|
$29,980
|
| New Jersey |
$14.36/hr
|
$29,860
|
| Washington |
$14.04/hr
|
$29,200
|
| Idaho |
$14.03/hr
|
$29,190
|
| New Mexico |
$13.93/hr
|
$28,970
|
| Maine |
$13.86/hr
|
$28,820
|
| West Virginia |
$13.83/hr
|
$28,770
|
| Alabama |
$13.65/hr
|
$28,390
|
| Maryland |
$13.6/hr
|
$28,280
|
| Massachusetts |
$12.85/hr
|
$26,730
|
| South Dakota |
$12.63/hr
|
$26,270
|
| California |
$11.91/hr
|
$24,760
|
| Nevada |
$11.4/hr
|
$23,710
|
Category: Stationary engineers and boiler operators
| Total # Employed in the US |
37,270 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$25.02/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $15.25 |
$19.54 |
$24.7 |
$30.06 |
$35.72 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$52,040 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $31,720 |
$40,630 |
$51,370 |
$62,520 |
$74,290 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 7.1% |
42.4% |
30.5% |
8.8% |
8.9% |
2.0% |
0.3% |
|
Stationary engineers and boiler operators — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Kansas |
$31.53/hr
|
$65,580
|
| Indiana |
$30.68/hr
|
$63,820
|
| Oklahoma |
$30.21/hr
|
$62,850
|
| Florida |
$29.9/hr
|
$62,200
|
| District of Columbia |
$29.39/hr
|
$61,130
|
| Alaska |
$29.24/hr
|
$60,810
|
| Colorado |
$29.22/hr
|
$60,770
|
| Ohio |
$28.92/hr
|
$60,160
|
| Maine |
$26.32/hr
|
$54,750
|
| Mississippi |
$26.25/hr
|
$54,610
|
| Montana |
$26.16/hr
|
$54,400
|
| Nebraska |
$26.12/hr
|
$54,330
|
| New York |
$25.91/hr
|
$53,890
|
| Delaware |
$25.78/hr
|
$53,620
|
| Missouri |
$25.18/hr
|
$52,360
|
| South Carolina |
$24.91/hr
|
$51,810
|
| New Jersey |
$24.48/hr
|
$50,930
|
| Virginia |
$24.35/hr
|
$50,640
|
| Guam |
$24.31/hr
|
$50,570
|
| Tennessee |
$24.28/hr
|
$50,500
|
| Connecticut |
$24.21/hr
|
$50,360
|
| North Dakota |
$23.93/hr
|
$49,770
|
| Kentucky |
$22.73/hr
|
$47,290
|
| New Hampshire |
$22.53/hr
|
$46,860
|
| Utah |
$22.14/hr
|
$46,060
|
| North Carolina |
$22.14/hr
|
$46,040
|
| Hawaii |
$21.75/hr
|
$45,240
|
| Pennsylvania |
$21.61/hr
|
$44,940
|
| Arkansas |
$21.32/hr
|
$44,360
|
| South Dakota |
$21.29/hr
|
$44,280
|
| Alabama |
$21.23/hr
|
$44,160
|
| Wisconsin |
$21.12/hr
|
$43,940
|
| Michigan |
$20.96/hr
|
$43,600
|
| Wyoming |
$20.8/hr
|
$43,270
|
| Washington |
$20.66/hr
|
$42,960
|
| Louisiana |
$20.34/hr
|
$42,310
|
| Massachusetts |
$20.29/hr
|
$42,200
|
| Iowa |
$20.08/hr
|
$41,760
|
| Oregon |
$19.64/hr
|
$40,850
|
| California |
$19.52/hr
|
$40,600
|
| New Mexico |
$19.43/hr
|
$40,410
|
| Idaho |
$19.29/hr
|
$40,130
|
| West Virginia |
$18.69/hr
|
$38,880
|
| Maryland |
$18.06/hr
|
$37,570
|
| Puerto Rico |
$18.03/hr
|
$37,510
|
| Nevada |
$17.06/hr
|
$35,490
|
Category: Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders
| Total # Employed in the US |
19,900 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$16.54/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $10.37 |
$12.81 |
$16.0 |
$19.67 |
$23.81 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$34,410 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $21,580 |
$26,650 |
$33,270 |
$40,920 |
$49,530 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 14.1% |
50.1% |
21.3% |
7.5% |
6.7% |
0.4% |
0.0% |
|
Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Iowa |
$20.73/hr
|
$43,120
|
| South Dakota |
$20.38/hr
|
$42,390
|
| Connecticut |
$19.18/hr
|
$39,890
|
| New York |
$18.86/hr
|
$39,230
|
| Pennsylvania |
$18.81/hr
|
$39,110
|
| Missouri |
$18.8/hr
|
$39,100
|
| New Jersey |
$18.68/hr
|
$38,850
|
| Nebraska |
$18.4/hr
|
$38,270
|
| Delaware |
$17.68/hr
|
$36,770
|
| South Carolina |
$17.67/hr
|
$36,740
|
| Oklahoma |
$17.54/hr
|
$36,480
|
| North Carolina |
$17.48/hr
|
$36,370
|
| West Virginia |
$17.05/hr
|
$35,470
|
| Arkansas |
$16.91/hr
|
$35,180
|
| Washington |
$16.78/hr
|
$34,900
|
| Michigan |
$16.74/hr
|
$34,810
|
| Colorado |
$16.65/hr
|
$34,640
|
| Tennessee |
$16.56/hr
|
$34,450
|
| Maryland |
$16.54/hr
|
$34,400
|
| Alabama |
$16.53/hr
|
$34,390
|
| Utah |
$16.53/hr
|
$34,380
|
| Massachusetts |
$16.42/hr
|
$34,160
|
| Mississippi |
$16.34/hr
|
$33,980
|
| Kansas |
$16.15/hr
|
$33,590
|
| Wisconsin |
$16.02/hr
|
$33,310
|
| Nevada |
$16.01/hr
|
$33,300
|
| Maine |
$15.97/hr
|
$33,220
|
| New Mexico |
$15.9/hr
|
$33,080
|
| Hawaii |
$15.84/hr
|
$32,960
|
| Montana |
$15.78/hr
|
$32,830
|
| California |
$15.75/hr
|
$32,760
|
| Oregon |
$15.7/hr
|
$32,660
|
| Guam |
$15.68/hr
|
$32,610
|
| Puerto Rico |
$15.42/hr
|
$32,080
|
| New Hampshire |
$15.36/hr
|
$31,950
|
| Kentucky |
$15.27/hr
|
$31,760
|
| Louisiana |
$15.24/hr
|
$31,700
|
| Idaho |
$15.13/hr
|
$31,460
|
| Wyoming |
$14.75/hr
|
$30,680
|
| North Dakota |
$13.91/hr
|
$28,930
|
Category: Locomotive firers
| Total # Employed in the US |
960 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$24.71/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $11.19 |
$17.45 |
$22.63 |
$31.07 |
$42.71 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$51,400 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $23,280 |
$36,290 |
$47,060 |
$64,640 |
$88,830 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 3.2% |
42.5% |
35.3% |
8.6% |
9.1% |
0.8% |
0.5% |
|
Locomotive firers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Utah |
$25.47/hr
|
$52,980
|
