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How much do lateral entry firefighter jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for lateral entry firefighter in the United States is $56,072.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $65,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Lateral Entry Firefighter vs Firefighter?

AspectLateral Entry FirefighterFirefighter
Required CredentialsFirefighter certification, EMT license, previous firefighting experienceFirefighter certification, EMT license (optional), entry-level experience
Work EnvironmentSame as Firefighter, including fire scenes, rescue operations, emergency medical servicesFire scenes, rescue operations, emergency medical services
Employer & Industry UsageFire departments hiring experienced firefighters to fill vacanciesEntry-level firefighters starting their careers in fire services

In summary, a Lateral Entry Firefighter is an experienced firefighter who joins a fire department with prior experience and certifications, whereas a Firefighter may be new to the profession. Both roles work in similar environments and require comparable credentials, but lateral entry positions typically require proven experience.

What is a lateral entry firefighter?

A lateral entry firefighter is an experienced firefighter who transfers from one fire department to another, usually without having to start at the entry-level position. This process allows departments to hire qualified personnel who already possess the necessary certifications, training, and often several years of firefighting experience. Lateral entry firefighters typically undergo a streamlined onboarding process and may be eligible for advanced placement, higher pay, or additional benefits based on their experience. The requirements and selection process for lateral entry positions vary by department.

How does prior firefighting experience influence training and integration for lateral entry firefighters?

Lateral entry firefighters typically join with previous firefighting experience, which allows them to bypass some introductory training. However, they still undergo department-specific orientation and may be required to complete certain local certifications or familiarize themselves with new equipment and protocols. Integration often involves shadowing experienced team members and participating in drills to ensure seamless teamwork. This approach helps lateral hires quickly adapt while maintaining safety and operational consistency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lateral entry firefighter?

To thrive as a Lateral Entry Firefighter, you need proven firefighting experience, state or national firefighter certifications (such as Firefighter I/II), and often EMT or paramedic credentials. Familiarity with fire suppression equipment, emergency medical tools, and incident reporting systems is typically required. Strong teamwork, communication, and adaptability are vital soft skills for effectively responding to dynamic emergencies. These skills ensure efficient emergency response, public safety, and seamless integration into established fire service teams.

How to get a job as a lateral entry firefighter with no experience?

To become a lateral entry firefighter with no experience, candidates typically need to meet minimum requirements such as a high school diploma or equivalent, valid driver's license, and physical fitness standards. Some departments may require or prefer prior emergency services training or certifications like CPR and first aid, and applicants often undergo written exams, interviews, and background checks as part of the hiring process.

Can you lateral transfer as a lateral entry firefighter?

Lateral entry firefighters can often transfer between departments if they meet the new department's requirements, such as certifications, experience, and physical fitness standards. The transfer process typically involves application, credential verification, and sometimes testing or interviews, depending on the department's policies.
More about Lateral Entry Firefighter jobs
What states have the most Lateral Entry Firefighter jobs? States with the most job openings for Lateral Entry Firefighter jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Lateral Entry Firefighter jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lateral Entry Firefighter jobs are:
Lateral Entry Firefighter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lateral Entry Firefighter job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,072 per year, or $27 per hour.

Lateral Entry - Firefighter/EMT

Gwinnett County

Lawrenceville, GA

$51K - $81K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 16 days ago

Gwinnett County rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 36 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

246th of 844 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Class Summary **LATERAL ENTRY LEVEL POSITION** **Only Current Certified Firefighter/EMT Candidates** Employees must successfully complete state EMS licensure, state firefighter certification, and other requirements to successfully operate on a department emergency response vehicle during first two years of employment. Applicants must pass a comprehensive background investigation including criminal, controlled substance, driving, employment history checks, an oral interview, medical exam including drug screen, psychological and physical agility testing. Minimum Qualifications High School Diploma, or G.E.D

certificate, and Valid Driver's License from state of residency equivalent to GA Class C or higher, and Must be at least 18 years of age, and Must be currently a Certified Firefighter/EMT. Preferred Qualifications in addition to the above minimum qualifications Current National Registry (NR) or State of Georgia EMT certification OR higher State of GA NPQ Firefighter I and/or Firefighter II NPQ Hazmat Awareness NPQ Hazmat Operations Other Job Requirements/Information This job is a safety sensitive position that will require a pre-employment drug test and subsequent random drug and alcohol testing. This job requires a public safety background check to include motor vehicle histories, criminal histories, and finger printing.

This job may require on-call rotation and emergency after-hours, weekends, and/or holidays. Lateral Entry Firefighter/EMT: $51,049 - $81,733 (Starting Salary without a degree) $52,580 - $84,185 (Starting Salary including 3% incentive for an associate degree) $54,112 - $86,637 (Starting Salary including 6% incentive for a bachelor's degree) Salary will be based on qualifications and experience. The grade for this position is FF213.

For more information: click here. This position is eligible for the Employee Referral Program. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MAY RECEIVE E-MAILS THROUGHOUT THE APPLICATION AND BACKGROUND PROCESS FOR THIS POSITION.

MAKE SURE YOU CAN RECEIVE E-MAILS FROM: FireRecruiting@gwinnettcounty.com BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR SPAM/JUNK MAILBOX. Note: The class specifications listed on this website are not the official class specifications for Gwinnett County and are subject to change. Benefits Offered **Georgia Firefighter Pension Fund Offered - Funded by Department** Additional Information About Gwinnett County Welcome to Gwinnett County Government Gwinnett County Government is an award-winning employer that believes in investing in its employees by providing corporate level benefits, a wellness program, professional development opportunities, career advancement, and more Careers with impact Gwinnett County sets the standard as a dynamic, vibrant community where all people can enjoy economic opportunities, safe neighborhoods, plentiful greenspace, and recreational facilities

We are committed to hiring those who share our dedication to making life better for our residents and business owners. The culture of superior service that our employees have created reflects that standard and helps staff, residents, and stakeholders remain vibrantly connected. Exceptional benefits Working for Gwinnett County comes with exceptional benefits, including health coverage, a robust wellness program (Spouses can participate, too!), onsite employee wellness center, longevity pay, tuition reimbursement, and more.

The value of Gwinnett County benefits can be up to 49 percent of an individual's total compensation. World-class community More than a million residents make up Gwinnett's diverse community. The County is located just 45 minutes from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown Atlanta.

Georgia Highway 316 reduces travel time to the University of Georgia to 25 minutes. Gwinnett County is an award-winning employer. Atlanta's Healthiest Employer by Atlanta Business Chronicle Green Communities Platinum Certification for Gwinnett County from the Atlanta Regional Commission Top 100 Healthiest Workplaces in America by Springbuk and PR NewsWire and more.

Vision Gwinnett is the preferred community where everyone thrives. Mission Gwinnett proudly supports our vibrantly connected community by delivering superior services. Values Integrity: We believe in being honest, building trust, and having strong moral principles.

Accountability: We believe in stewardship, transparency, and sustainability. Equity: We believe in fairness and respect for all. Inclusivity: We believe in engaging, embracing, and unifying our communities.

Innovation: We believe in continual adaptation of technology, process, and experience. Hiring Process Gwinnett County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information regarding our hiring process, please click the links below: Hiring Process FAQs Gwinnett County is committed to creating a diverse workforce.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information (including sex), race, color, national origin (including ancestry), gender (identity and expression), sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status (including pregnancy), disability, military or veteran status, religion, political affiliation, immigration status, homeless status, or any other category protected by law. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities may be requested. If you need an accommodation during the application, interview, or testing process, contact Human Resources at 770.822.7915 or HREmployeeRelations@GwinnettCounty.com

This email is only for accommodation requests; for questions related to job postings, use jobs@gwinnettcounty.com.

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