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Firefighters make an average of $63,890 per year nationwide. However, firefighter compensation varies by location and position, so salaries can climb up into six figures for higher leadership positions. As a result, firefighting can provide competitive annual pay for those who want to do the rewarding work of rescuing others during emergencies.

Read on to learn more about the income, responsibilities, and pros and cons of pursuing a career as a firefighter.

What Are Firefighters?

Firefighters are trained professionals who respond to fires, rescue situations, hazardous material spills, and medical emergencies. Their primary responsibility is to protect life, property, and the environment from the adverse effects of human-made and natural fires.

These dedicated professionals navigate unpredictable circumstances with selflessness. The job can be dangerous but also a very rewarding career. A few details to note:

•   Firefighters are typically employed by city, county, state, and federal governments.

•   Because fires and other emergencies are dangerous, these professionals put their lives on the line every day.

•   The job is demanding because shifts can last 24 hours. Firefighters usually work full-time.

Additionally, firefighters typically have emergency medical technician (EMT) certifications because they respond to health crises. For instance, local fire departments provide critical assistance for people trapped under debris from a storm. Likewise, they often transport the injured to hospitals and health facilities. For this reason, most firefighters can drive and operate ambulances as well as fire trucks.


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Examples of Firefighter Job Responsibilities

Here are the essential duties of firefighters, most of which relate to helping individuals and communities during emergencies:

1.    Fire suppression: As the name implies, a firefighter’s definitive job is extinguishing fires. This includes house fires and wildfires. Firefighters use various tools and equipment, such as water hoses, fire extinguishers, and specialized vehicles, to control and put out fires.

2.    Rescue operations: Firefighters are trained in various rescue techniques to save people from dangerous situations, including individuals trapped in buildings, vehicles, or natural disasters.

3.    Emergency medical response: Many firefighters are emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or paramedics. This training allows them to provide prehospital medical care, including administering first aid and stabilizing patients until they are transported to a hospital.

4.    Hazardous materials response: Firefighters are usually the first on the scene of accidents involving hazardous chemicals and materials. For instance, if a tanker truck crashes, firefighters use specialized equipment to contain and mitigate the effects of the spill.

5.    Public education and prevention: A part of firefighters’ public service is engaging in community outreach and educational efforts supporting fire safety and best practices for emergency response. They also provide tours of fire departments to residents.

6.    Equipment maintenance: Firefighters rely on their gear and equipment to perform their jobs, and disasters can occur at any time. As a result, maintaining and cleaning their equipment, including fire engines, tools, and personal protective gear, is vital.

How Much Do Starting Firefighters Make a Year?

An entry-level firefighter’s salary varies depending on location, but averages $59,606, according to ZipRecruiter. While the starting pay can be lower than it is for some other jobs, firefighters can increase their salaries by getting promoted to leadership positions or specializing in a certain aspect of the job.

For instance, a firefighter officer leads teams of firefighters and can earn an annual salary of $161,372, according to ZipRecruiter. So, yes, it is possible to earn a $100,000 salary or more as a firefighter.

Remember, changing locations can also help increase firefighters’ compensation. For instance, firefighters in North Carolina earn an average salary of $42,450, while positions in New Jersey have an average pay of $87,710. (Of course, the local cost of living may rise along with the pay.)

What is the Average Salary for a Firefighter?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics database shows that the average firefighter salary is $63,890 annually vs. hourly pay of $30.72. Here’s a breakdown of the average firefighter salary by state, listed alphabetically:

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

Firefighter Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits

As a firefighter, you can expect to make $63,890 on average — a bit more than the average salary in the U.S., which is currently about $62,088. Additionally, numerous benefits come with the job to enhance your financial well-being and quality of life.

For example:

•   Full-time firefighters receive health and dental insurance, disability coverage, paid time off, tax-advantaged retirement plans, and pensions.

•   Union firefighters can receive their pay and benefits through a contract, locking in their compensation package.

•   Firefighters can qualify for exclusive financial aid and scholarships for higher education. For instance, The Maryland State Firemen’s Association gives scholarships to students getting degrees in fire science or medical emergency services. This could help students who might otherwise be entering a career without a college degree.

•   Firefighters can enjoy the satisfaction of knowing they helped their neighbors. From pulling children out of burning buildings to assisting the injured, a firefighter’s duty centers on safeguarding life. As a result, the profession is personally meaningful and fulfilling. (It’s worth noting, though, that given the human interaction involved, it may not be the best career for an introvert.)

Pros and Cons of Firefighter Salary

Being a firefighter means enjoying the perks of the job while making the best of the drawbacks. Here’s a comparison of the two:

Pros

First, the upsides of pursuing this career:

•   Helping others: Firefighters can derive a deep sense of purpose from directly contributing to the safety and well-being of their communities. The opportunity to protect individuals and families is a significant motivator for people drawn to this profession. Additionally, their willingness to put themselves in harm’s way to save others can garner appreciation and gratitude.

•   Straightforward qualifications: Becoming a firefighter typically requires having a high school diploma or GED, passing a physical fitness test, and being at least 18 years old. The position’s accessibility allows individuals from diverse educational backgrounds to pursue a career in firefighting without extensive academic qualifications.

Furthermore, firefighters interested in more education can acquire extensive education (including EMT training) and scholarships for higher education to advance their positions.

•   Competitive pay and benefits: While entry-level firefighting positions might offer low initial pay, more experienced firefighters can earn a competitive salary vs. the national average. Considering the accessible entry-level requirements, the job has good pay and benefits without extensive education. Likewise, full-time firefighters receive comprehensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks. While it’s likely not the highest paying job in your area, it reliably put food on the table.

•   Tight work bonds: Firefighters work closely as a team and forge strong bonds with their colleagues. The nature of emergency response requires cooperation and communication, creating a sense of camaraderie among team members. Additionally, firefighters often face challenging situations together, leading to shared experiences that strengthen their professional and personal relationships.

•   Federal loan forgiveness: Firefighters may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness if they meet specific criteria. The PSLF Program is designed to assist public service providers, including firefighters, in repaying their federal student loan debt.

Cons

Next, consider the potential downsides of becoming a firefighter:

•   Safety risk: Firefighters face inherent risks associated with entering burning buildings, handling hazardous materials, and engaging in rescue operations. Long-term exposure to smoke and chemicals is also dangerous. These physical hazards can lead to injuries, health complications, or loss of life.

•   Challenging work schedule: Firefighters often work in shifts, which can be as long as 24 hours and include working overnight. For this reason, firefighters typically work more than 50 hours per week instead of a conventional nine-to-five job. Combined with the challenging situations firefighters tackle, the job might not be a fit for those who want a low-stress job or folks who prefer to work from home sometimes.

•   Few to no traditional weekends or holidays off: Firefighters frequently work on weekends and holidays because emergencies happen regardless of the time of year. This can impact personal and family life, as firefighters won’t have the same days off as people working in more traditional Monday-to-Friday roles.

The Takeaway

Across America, the mean salary for how much a firefighter makes a year is $63,890, though the earning potential can rise into six figures. Firefighters play a crucial role in safeguarding people, property, and the environment from the adverse effects of fires and emergencies. Responding to a wide range of needs, from fire suppression to rescue operations and medical emergencies, firefighters are dedicated professionals who undergo extensive training to serve their communities effectively. However, the job is a challenging one, with inherent health and well-being risks, as well as potentially long hours and considerable stress.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

See exactly how your money comes and goes at a glance.

FAQ

Can you make 100k a year as a firefighter?

While the national median salary for a firefighter is $63,890, making $100k a year in the profession is achievable. For instance, the positions of fire lieutenant, captain, and chief may have the potential to pay six figures.

Do people like being a firefighter?

Firefighting can be a fulfilling, meaningful career because the job is about helping others in emergencies and dire circumstances. However, it can also be mentally and emotionally taxing because of the intensity of the work. Therefore, whether you like being a firefighter will depend on your job preferences and outlook.

Is it hard to get hired as a firefighter?

The path to becoming a firefighter involves getting your high school diploma or GED, passing a written exam, a physical, and an in-person interview. Thus, while the educational barriers are low, getting hired as a firefighter can require discipline and commitment.

About the author

Ashley Kilroy

Ashley Kilroy is a seasoned personal finance writer with 15 years of experience simplifying complex concepts for individuals seeking financial security. Her expertise has shined through in well-known publications like Rolling Stone, Forbes, SmartAsset, and Money Talks News. Read full bio.

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

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The mean annual wage for a dermatologist as of May 2024 data (the most recent available) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is $347,810. This career can be a challenging and rewarding profession, both financially and emotionally. Dermatologists can help their patients look and feel their best. In some cases, they can even save their lives.

Read on to better understand what it’s like to work as a dermatologist, how much they earn, and the benefits and downsides of choosing this line of work.

What Are Dermatologists?

Dermatologists are doctors who specialize in the field of dermatology. They manage diagnoses and treatments relating to skin, hair, and nail health. They help patients with issues ranging from eczema and skin infections to acne and skin cancer.

Some dermatologists perform cosmetic procedures like laser treatments, injections, and chemical peels. An important role that dermatologists also take on is educating patients on sun protection to help them avoid running into skin damage and skin cancer.

As you might imagine, considerable training is involved to become a dermatologist. Typically, it can take 12 years of training and education. To complete this, some aspiring dermatologists will take out student loans. Their average student loan debt can be similar to what any other medical doctor takes on, meaning in the range of $200,000.

💡 Quick Tip: When you have questions about what you can and can’t afford, a spending tracker app can show you the answer. With no guilt trip or hourly fee.

How Much Do Starting Dermatologists Make a Year?

It’s important to note that dermatologists will likely see their salaries rise over time. While their entry-level salary may be lower than the average figure, it should rise as their careers progress.

That being said, the lowest 10% of earners in this role make an estimated annual wage of $118,540 or lower. So even the lowest income is likely around or over the $100,000 a year salary level.

What is the Average Salary for a Dermatologist?

As briefly noted earlier, the average salary or hourly wage for a dermatologist can be affected by where they work.

This applies to the type of medical practice or healthcare setting they work in. Consider the annual mean wage by workplace, all of which can be relatively high-paying:

•   Outpatient care centers: $474,470

◦   Offices of physicians: $357,160

•   General medical and surgical hospitals: $276,280

•   Personal care services: $173,370

•   Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods: $172,080

Next, take a closer look at how dermatologists’ salaries vary by the state they work in, according to the BLS. Please note that information is not available for all states.

💡 Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.

Dermatologist Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits

In addition to receiving competitive pay, many dermatologists work full-time and therefore qualify for employer benefits.

•   If they run their own medical practice, they would need to purchase these benefits for themselves and their employees.

•   If they work for a practice they don’t own, for a medical group, or in a hospital setting, they should qualify for valuable employee benefits like paid time off, retirement accounts, and health care.

Pros and Cons of Dermatologist Salary

The main advantage of a dermatologist salary is that it is usually quite high. The tradeoff for that high salary may be a lot of student loan debt, as noted above.

To work as a dermatologist in the United States, you need to attend and finance medical school after receiving an undergraduate degree, which can be quite time-consuming and costly.

The Takeaway

Working as a dermatologist makes it possible to help people dealing with skin concerns, while earning a good salary. Dermatologists earn a mean annual wage of $347,810, which is a salary many people would be happy with. However, obtaining the necessary training can be quite expensive, so dermatologists may start their careers with considerable student loan debt to pay off.

Take control of your finances with SoFi. With our financial insights and credit score monitoring tools, you can view all of your accounts in one convenient dashboard. From there, you can see your various balances, spending breakdowns, and credit score. Plus you can easily set up budgets and discover valuable financial insights — all at no cost.

See exactly how your money comes and goes at a glance.

FAQ

Can you make $100k a year as a dermatologist?

It’s very possible to earn $100,000 a year as a dermatologist. The mean annual salary for a dermatologist in the U.S. is $347,810.

Do people like being a dermatologist?

Many people enjoy working as a dermatologist since this role can be fulfilling on several levels. Not only is the work interesting (diagnosing and resolving health concerns), but it involves helping people live healthier and happier lives.

Is it hard to get hired as a dermatologist?

It may not be challenging to find a job as a dermatologist once you have the proper qualifications. The field is growing at a rate that is at least on par with other professions, if not higher.

About the author

Jacqueline DeMarco

Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer who specializes in financial topics. Her first job out of college was in the financial industry, and it was there she gained a passion for helping others understand tricky financial topics. Read full bio.

SoFi Relay offers users the ability to connect both SoFi accounts and external accounts using Plaid, Inc.’s service. When you use the service to connect an account, you authorize SoFi to obtain account information from any external accounts as set forth in SoFi’s Terms of Use. Based on your consent SoFi will also automatically provide some financial data received from the credit bureau for your visibility, without the need of you connecting additional accounts. SoFi assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, accuracy, deletion, non-delivery or failure to store any user data, loss of user data, communications, or personalization settings. You shall confirm the accuracy of Plaid data through sources independent of SoFi. The credit score is a VantageScore® based on TransUnion® (the “Processing Agent”) data.

*Terms and conditions apply. This offer is only available to new SoFi users without existing SoFi accounts. It is non-transferable. One offer per person. To receive the rewards points offer, you must successfully complete setting up Credit Score Monitoring. Rewards points may only be redeemed towards active SoFi accounts, such as your SoFi Checking or Savings account, subject to program terms that may be found here: SoFi Member Rewards Terms and Conditions. SoFi reserves the right to modify or discontinue this offer at any time without notice.

Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®

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