Average Firefighter Salary

Studies show that the average firefighter salary varies according to what type of firefighting you do. Firefighting is something of an unpredictable vocation anyway; you never quite know how much work you'll be doing. You may end up working for up to a week on the same forest fire, or there may be a stretch of time in which no fires occur.

In general, the average firefighter salary tends to range between 20 thousand and 50 thousand per year. In addition to this pay, firefighters are also included in a variety of benefits, including coverage for their firefighting equipment and uniforms. Considering that costs for firefighting boots, helmets, and gloves can be very pricey indeed, this is quite fortunate. Along with receiving an average firefighter salary, professional firefighters also receive medical and dental insurance, paid vacation time, sick leave, and other benefits.

How can you begin attaining an average firefighter salary? Many professional firefighters start out as volunteer ones. The only downside to being a volunteer firefighter is that they are not paid in the same way that professional firefighters are. Rather than receiving an average firefighter salary, they are paid a small stipend in exchange for services. This leads many volunteer firefighters to seek a second job in addition to the first, which can be very taxing indeed. However, the upside to being a volunteer firefighter is that this allows you to work your way up the ranks. The more experience you gain, the better your chances of being a professional firefighter.

There are other factors that affect the amount of your average firefighter salary. Your experience is an important one. A newly made professional firefighter won't be paid nearly as much as one who has worked in the field for years. Additionally, the type of work you do also adds up. While there can't be fires to fight every day, there are always other duties to perform, such as maintenance, cleanup duties, and other tasks.

These are only a few things to consider when attempting to attain average firefighter salary. When it comes to gaining enough experience and credentials to make a lasting impression on your department, this endeavor in itself can be very expensive indeed. However, the long term benefits are more than worth it. Learn more today about how to acquire an average firefighter salary. While there are busy periods and dry spells, just as any profession, it's not impossible to make a decent living this way.