ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Fire Science Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsFire Science Instructor Jobs

Fire Science Instructor information

See salary details

$13.5K

$58.7K

$100.5K

How much do fire science instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for fire science instructor in the United States is $58,714.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,500.00 and $67,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by fire science instructors when teaching both new recruits and experienced firefighters?

Fire Science Instructors often encounter the challenge of balancing curriculum to meet the needs of both entry-level students and seasoned professionals seeking advanced training. They must deliver complex, up-to-date information on fire behavior, safety protocols, and emergency response in a way that is engaging and accessible for all experience levels. Additionally, instructors must stay current with evolving technologies and regulations, adapting lesson plans accordingly. Managing hands-on training safely while fostering teamwork and critical thinking is another key aspect of the role.

What is a fire science instructor?

Fire Science Instructors are educators who teach courses related to fire prevention, firefighting techniques, emergency response, and fire safety. They often have experience as firefighters or in related emergency services and use that background to train future firefighters, emergency responders, and safety personnel. Fire Science Instructors work in community colleges, technical schools, fire academies, and sometimes universities. They develop lesson plans, conduct practical training, and evaluate student performance to ensure readiness for real-world emergencies.

What is the difference between Fire Science Instructor vs Firefighter?

AspectFire Science InstructorFirefighter
CredentialsFire science degree, certifications in firefighting and teachingFirefighter certification, EMT/paramedic licenses
Work EnvironmentClassrooms, training facilities, some on-site fire trainingFire scenes, emergency response, fire stations
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, fire academies, training centersFire departments, emergency services

While both roles involve firefighting knowledge, a Fire Science Instructor primarily teaches and trains future firefighters in classrooms and training facilities, requiring educational credentials. In contrast, a Firefighter responds directly to emergencies in the field, focusing on fire suppression and rescue operations. The two careers share certifications but differ in work environment and daily responsibilities.

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

To thrive as a Fire Science Instructor, you typically need extensive experience in firefighting or emergency services, a relevant degree in fire science or a related field, and appropriate instructor certifications such as Fire Instructor I/II. Familiarity with learning management systems, fire simulation software, and modern firefighting equipment is important for effective teaching. Excellent communication, patience, and the ability to engage and motivate students are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure instructors can deliver accurate, up-to-date training that prepares future firefighters for real-world challenges.
More about Fire Science Instructor jobs
What cities are hiring for Fire Science Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Fire Science Instructor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Fire Science Instructor jobs? The most popular types of Fire Science Instructor jobs are:
What states have the most Fire Science Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Fire Science Instructor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Fire Science Instructor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Fire Science Instructor jobs are:
Fire Science Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Fire Science Instructor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,714 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

Part-Time Fire Science Instructor

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, IL • On-site

Part-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 25 days ago

Southwestern Illinois College rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

139th of 615 rated colleges and universities

Job description

ANNOUNCEMENT
Southwestern Illinois College is accepting applications for part-time instructors for the Fire Science program. Part-time instructors are hired on an as-needed basis. Your application will be placed in a pool for review as part-time teaching assignments become available.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Part-time/adjunct faculty in the Fire Science program are responsible for teaching the objectives for any course assigned, the assessment of student learning, and reporting of student progress as required by the college, the Illinois State Fire Marshall's office and the International Fire Services Accreditation Congress.
QUALIFICATIONS
  1. Meets the minimum instructor requirements for any course assignment; required
  2. Degree and experience requirements vary per course, in general:
    • Certified by the Illinois State Fire Marshall's Office in: Fire Service Officer I & Fire Service Instructor II; required
    • Depending on course content may require additional certification by the Illinois State Fire Marshall's Office in: Fire Apparatus Engineer, Fire Service Officer II, Haz Mat First Responder, Vehicle Rescue Operations, Rope Rescue I & II, Confined Space Rescue I & II, Trench Rescue I & II; Water Rescue I & II.
    • Depending on course content may require additional education in Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science or Bachelor's degree Fire Science related field and
    • Five years fire service experience.
  3. Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills
  4. Competency with multiple instructional delivery methods (on-line, hybrid, web-enhanced, and face to face); preferred.

STARTING PAY AND HOURS
Salary varies based on educational level and number of units taught. Starting rates for the current Academic Year can be viewed on SWIC's Employment page .
BENEFITS & PERKS:
Benefit availability and eligibility may vary from the summary listed below. Please visit www.swic.edu for more information.
  • Retirement savings plan through State Universities Retirement System of Illinois and voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) savings plan
  • Eligibility for medical coverage as outline in the Affordable Care Act
  • Employee Assistance Program, employee discounts, gym access, additional voluntary benefits and more!
WORK LOCATION
Fire Science courses are offered at the SWIC Fire Science Training facility and local fire departments.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications will be reviewed as assignments become available.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Required application materials, such as resume, cover letter and references, should be attached to your application. Other required application materials i.e., transcripts, etc., should be attached after your application has been submitted. Go to your My Job Applications page from the careers home page of your account.
Southwestern Illinois College
is proud to be an EEO/AA Employer/Educator
Smoke/Tobacco/Vapor/Drug-Free Workplace

What Southwestern Illinois College employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply