Life As a Municipal Firefighter
Example of Municipal Firefighter Job Control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts.
Life As a Municipal Firefighter
- Take action to contain hazardous chemicals that might catch fire, leak, or spill.
- Clean and maintain fire stations and fire fighting equipment and apparatus.
- Participate in courses, seminars and conferences, and study fire science literature, to learn firefighting techniques.
- Search burning buildings to locate fire victims.
- Spray foam onto runways, extinguish fires, and rescue aircraft crew and passengers in air-crash emergencies.
- Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.
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Municipal Firefighter Skills
Municipal Firefighters state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Municipal Firefighter Jobs
- Municipal Firefighter
- Rescue Worker
- Fire Chief’s Aide
- Fire Equipment Operator
- Apparatus Operator
Job Opportunities for Municipal Firefighters
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 327,300 jobs in the United States for Municipal Firefighter. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,600 new jobs for Municipal Firefighter by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 24,300 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Municipal Firefighter are Utah, Texas, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maryland, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Municipal Firefighter
The average yearly salary of a Municipal Firefighter ranges between $25,170 and $88,920.

Municipal Firefighters who work in New York, New Jersey, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Municipal Firefighters make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $41,740 |
Alaska | $51,110 |
Arizona | $45,150 |
Arkansas | $37,800 |
California | $81,580 |
Colorado | $61,160 |
Connecticut | $63,630 |
Delaware | $48,800 |
Florida | $53,340 |
Georgia | $38,060 |
Hawaii | $62,670 |
Idaho | $40,490 |
Illinois | $56,710 |
Indiana | $49,460 |
Iowa | $43,970 |
Kansas | $37,930 |
Kentucky | $33,520 |
Louisiana | $30,600 |
Maine | $36,750 |
Maryland | $61,780 |
Massachusetts | $60,080 |
Michigan | $45,440 |
Minnesota | $37,690 |
Mississippi | $30,370 |
Missouri | $51,100 |
Montana | $49,230 |
Nebraska | $47,880 |
Nevada | $66,830 |
New Hampshire | $48,640 |
New Jersey | $76,530 |
New Mexico | $36,590 |
New York | $73,710 |
North Carolina | $35,500 |
North Dakota | $42,980 |
Ohio | $46,310 |
Oklahoma | $43,450 |
Oregon | $66,330 |
Pennsylvania | $56,090 |
Rhode Island | $55,240 |
South Carolina | $36,300 |
South Dakota | $44,710 |
Tennessee | $40,280 |
Texas | $52,520 |
Utah | $37,960 |
Vermont | $37,070 |
Virginia | $51,510 |
Washington | $73,850 |
West Virginia | $36,820 |
Wisconsin | $40,310 |
Wyoming | $43,810 |
What Tools do Municipal Firefighters Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Municipal Firefighters may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Fire incident reporting systems
- Incident command system ICS software
- Plume modeling software
- Affiliated Computer Services ACS FIREHOUSE
How to Become a Municipal Firefighter
What education or degrees do I need to become a Municipal Firefighter?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Municipal Firefighters?

Below are examples of industries where Municipal Firefighters work:

Similar Careers
Career changers with experience as a Municipal Firefighter sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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