ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Fire Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Kankakee

Fire Chief

Kankakee, IL

$135K - $150K/yr

Chief Fire Officer accreditation and certification; Fire Department Safety Officer designation: Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal; Experience with Collective Bargaining, Incident Command for ...

City of Onalaska, WI

Fire Chief

Onalaska, WI · On-site

$114K - $149K/yr

The Chief is responsible for managing the physical facilities and equipment; promoting fire prevention; developing and improving the City firefighting and emergency medical response; improving the ...

City of Chico

Deputy Chief - Fire

Chico, CA

$196K/yr

To assist the Fire Chief to direct, plan, supervise, and coordinate the operational, administrative, training and personnel activities of a Fire Department Division; perform the role of Battalion ...

Sarasota County Government

Fire Chief

Arbutus, MD

As the Fire Chief, you'll provide leadership for all aspects of emergency response, community risk reduction, emergency medical services, fire prevention, strategic planning, fiscal stewardship ...

Oklahoma City

Fire Chief - City

Oklahoma City, OK · On-site

$173K - $264K/yr

The Fire Chief directs a metropolitan fire department of sworn and civilian personnel through multiple divisions, including Operations, Fire Prevention Services, Support Services, and the Office of ...

Oklahoma City

Fire Chief - City

Oklahoma City, OK · On-site

$173K - $264K/yr

The Fire Chief directs a metropolitan fire department of sworn and civilian personnel through multiple divisions, including Operations, Fire Prevention Services, Support Services, and the Office of ...

City of Onalaska

Fire Chief

Onalaska, WI

$114K - $149K/yr

The Chief is responsible for managing the physical facilities and equipment; promoting fire prevention; developing and improving the City firefighting and emergency medical response; improving the ...

City of Chico, CA

Deputy Chief - Fire

Chico, CA · On-site

$196K/yr

To assist the Fire Chief to direct, plan, supervise, and coordinate the operational, administrative, training and personnel activities of a Fire Department Division; perform the role of Battalion ...

Seminole Tribe of Florida

Fire Chief

Hollywood, FL · On-site

Fire Chief Job Type: Full Time Department: Fire Rescue Location: HOLLYWOOD Posted: 05/19/2026 The incumbent in this position directs all the Seminole Tribe of Florida's emergency services operations ...

Franklin County Fiscal Court

Fire Chief

Frankfort, KY

$87K - $100K/yr

The Franklin County Fiscal Court in Frankfort, KY is seeking a strategic, visionary, and community-oriented leader to serve as our next Fire Chief. In this executive role, you will direct and oversee ...

City of Hemet, CA

FIRE CHIEF

Hemet, CA · On-site

$210K - $281K/yr

The City of Hemet is currently looking for a proven leader and experienced professional to serve as Fire Chief. The ideal candidate will have a passion for delivering high-quality services and an ...

City of Hemet

FIRE CHIEF

Hemet, CA

$210K - $281K/yr

The City of Hemet is currently looking for a proven leader and experienced professional to serve as Fire Chief. The ideal candidate will have a passion for delivering high-quality services and an ...

Hyrum City

Assistant Fire Chief

Hyrum, UT · On-site

$30 - $50/hr

SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the general supervision of the Fire Chief SUPERVISION EXERCISED Provides close general supervision to Fire Captain(s), Firefighter(s) and Emergency Medical personnel ...

Hyrum City

Assistant Fire Chief

Hyrum, UT · On-site

$30 - $50/hr

SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the general supervision of the Fire Chief SUPERVISION EXERCISED Provides close general supervision to Fire Captain(s), Firefighter(s) and Emergency Medical personnel ...

Hyrum City

Assistant Fire Chief

Hyrum, UT

SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the general supervision of the Fire Chief SUPERVISION EXERCISED Provides close general supervision to Fire Captain(s), Firefighter(s) and Emergency Medical personnel ...

Town of Garner

Deputy Fire Chief (Operations)

Garner, NC · On-site

$104K - $131K/yr

Assists the Fire Chief with departmental management; assists with decisions in unusual situations as circumstances permit; acts as the Fire Chief in his/her absence. * Manages daily departmental ...

City of Mound, MN

Deputy Fire Chief

Mound, MN · On-site

$114K - $135K/yr

The Deputy Fire Chief is responsible for assisting the Fire Chief with planning, directing, and administering all activities related to the City's Fire Department and the cities served by the Mound ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFire Chief Jobs

Fire Chief information

See salary details

$31K

$105.6K

$183K

How much do fire chief jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire chief in the United States is $105,577.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $124,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Fire Chief, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Fire Chief, you need extensive knowledge of fire science, emergency management, and leadership, typically supported by experience as a firefighter and advanced certifications like Fire Officer or Fire Chief credentials. Familiarity with incident command systems, fire reporting software, and emergency communication tools is essential. Outstanding decision-making, communication, and team leadership skills help manage personnel and maintain public trust. These competencies are critical for ensuring effective emergency response, firefighter safety, and overall department performance.

What are the typical challenges a Fire Chief faces when managing both emergency operations and administrative duties?

Fire Chiefs often juggle the demands of leading emergency response efforts while also overseeing administrative responsibilities like budgeting, personnel management, and policy development. Balancing immediate operational needs—such as coordinating teams during fires or disasters—with long-term planning and resource allocation can be challenging. Effective Fire Chiefs foster strong communication within their teams, delegate tasks appropriately, and remain adaptable to rapidly changing scenarios. This dual focus requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to make quick, informed decisions under pressure.

What is the difference between Fire Chief vs Fire Captain?

AspectFire ChiefFire Captain
CertificationsFire Officer I & II, Incident Command, EMT/ParamedicFirefighter I & II, EMT/Paramedic, Incident Command
Work EnvironmentAdministrative, strategic planning, overseeing entire departmentOn-scene incident management, supervising firefighters
ResponsibilitiesDepartment leadership, policy development, budget managementLeading firefighting teams during emergencies, training

The Fire Chief is responsible for overall department management and strategic planning, while the Fire Captain focuses on on-the-ground incident command and team supervision. Both roles require similar certifications and work in firefighting environments, but differ in scope and leadership level.

What are Fire Chiefs?

Fire Chiefs are the highest-ranking officers in a fire department, responsible for overseeing all operations and administration. They manage personnel, develop policies, coordinate emergency response, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. Fire Chiefs also work with local government, budget resources, and lead public education efforts on fire prevention. Their leadership is crucial in both daily department management and during major emergency incidents.

What Does a Fire Chief Do?

A fire chief is a public service officer who oversees the operation of the fire department. As a fire chief, your responsibilities include responding to calls and working as a firefighter, but you are primarily the administrator for the department. Your duties are to train and assess firefighters, set schedules, monitor budgets, make requests for new equipment and fire engines, and ensure that the department is functioning properly. You will also work with local government officials to assess community needs and ensure they are being met.

More about Fire Chief jobs
What cities are hiring for Fire Chief jobs? Cities with the most Fire Chief job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Chief jobs? The most popular types of Fire Chief jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Fire Chief jobs? The top employers for Fire Chief jobs are:
What states have the most Fire Chief jobs? States with the most job openings for Fire Chief jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Fire Chief jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Fire Chief jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Fire Chief jobs? For Fire Chief jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Fire Chief jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fire Chief job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,577 per year, or $50.8 per hour.
Fire Chief

Fire Chief

City of Kankakee

Kankakee, IL

$135K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Responsible for the proper administration and the efficient operation of the fire department under the direction of the Mayor. Oversees all aspects of fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency preparedness, training and administrative functions. Provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and organizational direction for a high-performing, city-wide fire service delivery system.
Minimum Qualifications
• Associate’s degree in fire science or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college or a minimum of 10 years of service as a firefighter in the appointing jurisdiction.
  • Mandated Standards:
    • ​Office of the State Fire Marshal Standards: Basic Operations Firefighter Certification or Firefighter II Certification. Advanced Fire Officer Certification or Fire Officer II Certification.
  • International Fire Service Accreditation Congress or Pro Board Fire Service Professional Qualifications System Standards:
    • A current certification that meets the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard NFPA 1001. A current certification that meets the NFPA standard NFPA 1021.​
  • Other Standards:
    • Qualifications that meet requirements of the NFPA’s standard NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, Level I job performance requirements and standard NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications, Fire Officer II job performance requirements.
• Experience serving in the rank of Captain or Battalion Chief.
• Possess a combination of executive fire service leadership experience, operational expertise and strong interpersonal and organizational management skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Chief Fire Officer accreditation and certification; Fire Department Safety Officer designation: Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal; Experience with Collective Bargaining, Incident Command for all hazard events, grant writing and grant management; Expected to be an active leader participating in community events.
For more information on this position, please visit the website via the link below:
https://citykankakee-il.gov/cokfirechief/
Benefits
Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Immediate participation in Fire Pension Plan (7 years to be vested), 457 Plan, Health Savings Accounts, Other Voluntary Benefits, Vacation Time, Sick Time, Personal Days (as applicable), Paid Holidays, Bereavement Leave, Employee Assistance Program.
How to Apply: Please apply online by visiting the website at: https://citykankakee-il.gov/application-for-employment.php. Please be sure to include copies of all degrees, certifications, a cover letter, resume, three professional references and two personal references. Application Deadline: August 1, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EOE

Apply