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Fire Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Little Rock

Assistant Fire Chief

Little Rock, AR

$98K - $147K/yr

To provide assistance to the Fire Chief in planning, directing, and administering activities of the Fire Department. This position is open to both internal and external applicants, and will be open ...

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 ...

Minnesota City Jobs

Deputy Fire Chief - Mound

Mound, MN

$114K - $135K/yr

Job Posting Join the City of Mound as our inaugural Deputy Fire Chief. This full-time role serves as a leader in our Fire Department which has 40 paid on call firefighters and will oversee fire ...

City of Goodyear, AZ

Deputy Fire Chief

Goodyear, AZ · On-site

$185K - $221K/yr

Experience: Minimum of eight years of experience, including three years supervisory experience as a Battalion Chief with Goodyear Fire Department or other comparably sized fire department.

US Department of the Interior

Unit Fire Chief

Gallup, NM · On-site

$112K/yr

Direct Hire Authority These four (4) Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Unit Fire Chief) positions are with the US Wildland Fire Service, GW-0456-13 working in the following location(s): * Vernal or ...

City of Goodyear

Deputy Fire Chief

Goodyear, AZ

$185K - $221K/yr

Experience: Minimum of eight years of experience, including three years supervisory experience as a Battalion Chief with Goodyear Fire Department or other comparably sized fire department.

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Fire Chief information

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$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:
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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:
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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.
Assistant Fire Chief

Assistant Fire Chief

City of Little Rock

Little Rock, AR

$98K - $147K/yr

Other

Re-posted 20 days ago

Job description

The City of Little Rock provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. City of Little Rock complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every work location. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Job Objective & Safety/Security Sensitive Designation This position is designated as a safety/security sensitive position and is subject to random drug and alcohol screening. JOB OBJECTIVE: To provide assistance to the Fire Chief in planning, directing, and administering activities of the Fire Department. This position is open to both internal and external applicants, and will be open until filled.

Essential Functions Please go HERE to review the complete job description, including the essential functions. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: assigned Battalion Chiefs and other assigned personnel. Minimum Qualifications, Additional Requirements and Supervisory Responsibilities To be eligible for promotion to Assistant Fire Chief, the candidate must be a certified Firefighter I or Firefighter II or equivalent certification with a minimum of thirteen (13) years of progressively responsible, sworn firefighting experience, including at least five (5) years of supervisory experience and must have served a minimum of two (2) years of experience in a senior command or supervisory role, such as Battalion Chief, Division/District Chief, or an equivalent command-level position within a municipal fire department and must possess a Bachelor's Degree.

Applicants/employees must meet any other requirements established by the Little Rock Civil Service Commission. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: All incumbents hired after July 21, 2025, must establish residency within the City of Little Rock within ninety (90) days of employment in this position and must maintain residency for the duration of their employment in this position. Must obtain certification as a basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) from the Arkansas Department of Health within twelve (12) months of employment and maintain certification for the duration of employment in this position.

Must possess a valid Arkansas Class D (Non-Commercial Vehicle) Driver's License before employment and maintain licensure for the duration of employment in this position. DISCLAIMER: This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. Application Requirements Online applications only Applicant's answers to supplemental questions will be used to screen for minimum qualifications electronically, failure to fully answer all supplemental questions may result in failure of the application.

Please ensure your application OR uploaded resume includes the time spent in each Fire Rank. This will be utilized to determine which applicants are approved to compete in the selection process. All communication regarding application status will be sent to candidates via text message/ email address listed on account.

You may check your NeoGov inbox to review all notices sent to the email address associated with your applications. Applicants may check application status for any position by logging into their account or contacting Human Resources at (501) 371-4590 if they are having computer difficulties. CRITICAL SELECTION COMPONENTS (times and dates will be provided to candidates once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates are identified): Structured Interview Experience Review.

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