Firefighter/Paramedic

Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.

O*NET definition of Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) · Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed.

Administer basic or advanced emergency medical care and assess injuries and illnesses. May administer medication intravenously, use equipment such as EKGs, or administer advanced life support to sick or injured individuals.

O*NET definition of Paramedics (SOC 29-2043) · Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed.

Education workers say the job requires

Share of surveyed workers in Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) naming each level as required to be hired, 23 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Education workers say the job requires

Share of surveyed workers in Paramedics (SOC 29-2043) naming each level as required to be hired, 31 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Firefighters typically need a high school diploma and training in emergency medical services. Most firefighters receive training at a fire academy. Other credential requirements, such as emergency medical technician (EMT) certification, vary by state or locality.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Firefighters”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Firefighters (SOC 33-2011)

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

Paramedics (SOC 29-2043)

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

1. Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.4.5
2. Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.4.4
3. Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons or provide emergency medical care such as basic or advanced life support.4.4
4. Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.4.3
5. Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.4.3
6. Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.4.3
7. Search to locate fire survivors.4.3
8. Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.4.2
9. Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.4.2
10. Extinguish flames and embers to suppress fires, using shovels or engine- or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.4.2

The 10 most important of 29 core tasks for Firefighters, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.

1. Perform emergency cardiac care, such as cardioversion and manual defibrillation.4.7
2. Perform emergency invasive intervention before delivering patient to an acute care facility.4.7
3. Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.4.6
4. Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.4.5
5. Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.4.5
6. Comfort and reassure patients.4.5
7. Operate equipment, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), external defibrillators, or bag valve mask resuscitators, in advanced life support environments.4.5
8. Perform emergency pharmacological interventions.4.4
9. Administer drugs, orally or by injection, or perform intravenous procedures.4.4
10. Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.4.3

The 10 most important of 13 core tasks for Paramedics, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.

7,955 fire departments in the registry. Public fire departments with at least one career (paid) firefighter, as registered with the U.S. Fire Administration. The 10 largest by career firefighters:

Full lists by state: