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Occupation · SOC 33-2011

Firefighters

There are 345,990 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $59,280 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Protective ServiceTypical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
345,990
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$59,280
Median pay a year
Middle half: $44,490–$77,250
26,800
Annual openings
10-year change: +3.7%
Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 350 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $106,420 · LCA filings 014,960$106,4200
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $82,820 · LCA filings 014,560$82,8200
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $64,900 · LCA filings 08,780$64,9000
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $73,990 · LCA filings 08,510$73,9900
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $66,980 · LCA filings 07,610$66,9800
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $98,050 · LCA filings 07,200$98,0500
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $75,710 · LCA filings 06,600$75,7100
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $47,300 · LCA filings 06,350$47,3000
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $59,120 · LCA filings 05,780$59,1200
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $38,700 · LCA filings 04,700$38,7000

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 1,330 · LCA filings 0$152,1001,3300
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 3,450 · LCA filings 0$113,7003,4500
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 14,960 · LCA filings 0$106,42014,9600
Bellingham, WAEmployment 320 · LCA filings 0$101,1303200
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 3,760 · LCA filings 0$101,0903,7600

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $76,835 · Level III $92,248 · Level IV $107,661$61,422$76,835$92,248$107,661
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $62,691 · Level III $79,934 · Level IV $97,198$45,427$62,691$79,934$97,198
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $59,634 · Level III $67,142 · Level IV $74,630$52,146$59,634$67,142$74,630
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $65,125 · Level III $75,296 · Level IV $85,467$54,954$65,125$75,296$85,467
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $61,589 · Level III $70,824 · Level IV $80,059$52,354$61,589$70,824$80,059
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $88,130 · Level III $108,659 · Level IV $129,189$67,600$88,130$108,659$129,189
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $64,251 · Level III $76,232 · Level IV $88,213$52,270$64,251$76,232$88,213
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $43,805 · Level III $50,336 · Level IV $56,888$37,253$43,805$50,336$56,888
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $52,770 · Level III $60,216 · Level IV $67,642$45,344$52,770$60,216$67,642
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $39,707 · Level III $46,987 · Level IV $54,288$32,406$39,707$46,987$54,288

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Fire ProtectionCIP 43.02OPT · up to 12 months47OPT · up to 12 months

See Firefighters in every metro area

All 350 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Protective Service

Security GuardsPolice and Sheriff's Patrol OfficersLifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersCorrectional Officers and JailersProtective Service Workers, All OtherCrossing Guards and FlaggersSchool Bus MonitorsFirst-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology