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Fire Instructor Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Contract Instructor (ATF)

Athens, AL

$18 - $23.25/hr

Contract Instructor (ATF) Location: Huntsville, AL Overview: SkyBridge Tactical is seeking a ... fire or explosives demonstrations, and ensure adherence to ATF and federal safety guidelines.

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Fire Instructor information

See Alabama salary details

$7

$21

$41

How much do fire instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for fire instructor in Alabama is $21.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.03 and $25.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a fire instructor?

Fire Instructors are professionals who teach and train firefighters and other emergency responders in fire safety, firefighting techniques, rescue operations, and emergency procedures. They develop lesson plans, conduct classroom and hands-on training sessions, and ensure that all trainees understand safety protocols and best practices. Fire Instructors also evaluate trainees’ performance and keep up to date with the latest industry standards and firefighting technology.

What is the difference between Fire Instructor vs Firefighter?

AspectFire InstructorFirefighter
CertificationsFire Instructor Certification, CPR, First AidFirefighter Certification, EMT/Paramedic
Work EnvironmentTraining facilities, classrooms, fire academiesFire scenes, emergency response, fire stations
Employer & Industry UsageFire departments, training academies, safety organizationsFire departments, emergency services, rescue teams

Fire Instructors focus on training and educating firefighters and the public, working mainly in classrooms and training facilities. Firefighters respond to emergencies, fighting fires and rescuing people at fire scenes. While both roles require fire safety certifications, their work environments and daily tasks differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a fire instructor?

To thrive as a Fire Instructor, you need extensive firefighting experience, knowledge of fire science, and typically certifications such as Fire Instructor I or II. Familiarity with training simulators, instructional technology, and learning management systems is often required. Strong communication, leadership, and adaptability help engage diverse trainees and address dynamic situations. These skills ensure effective knowledge transfer, safety, and preparedness in high-risk emergency response environments.

What are some common challenges faced by fire instructors when training new recruits?

Fire Instructors often encounter challenges such as effectively communicating complex firefighting techniques to recruits with varying levels of experience and learning styles. Ensuring safety during live-fire training scenarios is another significant concern, requiring strict adherence to protocols and close supervision. Additionally, keeping training sessions engaging and realistic while meeting certification standards can be demanding. Building teamwork and trust among recruits is also a key focus, as these skills are critical in emergency situations.
What are popular job titles related to Fire Instructor jobs in Alabama? For Fire Instructor jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Fire Instructor job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,797 per year, or $21.1 per hour.

Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support / Hazardous Materials Technician)

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Redstone Arsenal, AL • On-site

$58K/yr

Other

Posted 16 days ago


U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 537 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

28th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
About the Position: This position is included under the provisions of Special Retirement Coverage (SRC) and may have both a maximum entry age and a mandatory retirement date.
Click here for more information on SRC for Firefighters (Primary/Rigorous)Qualifications:Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Specialized Experience Statement: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Driving and operating firefighting apparatus and equipment. 2) Operating as a member of a hazardous material response team at the technician level. 3) Performing emergency medical care at the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) level. 4) Performing aircraft rescue and firefighting operations. 5) Conducting inspections of firefighting equipment to maintain proper serviceability. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
Selective Placement Factors: In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement above, applicants must also possess the following certificates certified through DoD Fire and Emergency Services Certification System, International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), or the Fire Service Professional Qualifications System (PRO-Board) in accordance with DoD 6055.06-M upon entry into this position. (Note: You must attach a copy of your certifications for verification.)
  • Firefighter I
  • Firefighter II
  • Airport Firefighter
  • Hazardous Materials Technician
  • Fire Officer I
  • Fire Instructor I
  • Fire Inspector I (NOTE: An accredited First Responder Inspector certification IAW Chapter 7 of NFPA Standard 1030, 2024 Edition is acceptable for this requirement).
  • National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) certification or state EMT certification from a state with National Registry reciprocity.

Maximum Entry Age (MEA) The MEA for Firefighters is 37. An employee originally hired into a covered position must be hired by the last day of the month he/she reaches 37.
Maximum Reentry Age An employee who previously served on a covered position may be rehired past the MEA as long as he/she is able to complete 20 years of covered service by his/her mandatory retirement age. The maximum re-entry age for the individual is calculated by determining the total amount of time he/she has served on a covered position and subtracting that from age 57 if a firefighter. The employee's current age is compared to the calculated maximum re-entry age to determine if he/she can be rehired into the covered position.
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone -- no substitution of education for experience is permitted.
Education:This job does not have an education qualification requirement.Employment Type: OTHER

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