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Paid Firefighter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Asheville

Firefighter Trainee

Asheville, NC

$21.61/hr

Fire Academy Training All successful candidates will attend the City of Asheville Fire Department's Fire Academy as paid Firefighter Trainees for approximately 3-5 months. The training schedule is ...

City of Asheville, NC

Firefighter Trainee

Asheville, NC · On-site

$21.61/hr

Fire Academy Training All successful candidates will attend the City of Asheville Fire Department's Fire Academy as paid Firefighter Trainees for approximately 3-5 months. The training schedule is ...

Mariposa County

Reserve Firefighter I

Mariposa, CA · On-site

$18/hr

Experience as a volunteer or paid Firefighter is preferred but not required. Training to obtain the necessary skills to perform the duties of a Reserve Firefighter I for Mariposa County Fire will be ...

Mariposa County, CA

Reserve Firefighter I

Mariposa, CA · On-site

$18/hr

Experience as a volunteer or paid Firefighter is preferred but not required. Training to obtain the necessary skills to perform the duties of a Reserve Firefighter I for Mariposa County Fire will be ...

Mariposa County, CA

Reserve Firefighter I

Mariposa, CA · On-site

$18/hr

Experience as a volunteer or paid Firefighter is preferred but not required. Training to obtain the necessary skills to perform the duties of a Reserve Firefighter I for Mariposa County Fire will be ...

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Paid Firefighter information

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$28.5K

$59.6K

$100K

How much do paid firefighter jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for paid firefighter in the United States is $59,606.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,500.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a paid firefighter?

Paid firefighters are professional emergency responders employed by municipal, county, or private fire departments to protect life and property from fires and other hazards. Unlike volunteer firefighters, paid firefighters receive a regular salary and benefits for their work. Their duties include responding to fire alarms, medical emergencies, hazardous material incidents, and conducting fire prevention education. They typically undergo rigorous training and must meet physical and educational requirements. Paid firefighters often work in shifts to provide 24/7 emergency coverage.

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

To thrive as a Paid Firefighter, you need strong physical fitness, emergency medical training, and completion of fire academy certification, often with a high school diploma or GED as a baseline. Familiarity with firefighting equipment, emergency response systems, and specialized certifications like EMT or paramedic credentials are commonly required. Teamwork, quick decision-making, and resilience under pressure are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities are crucial for effective emergency response, ensuring safety, and providing life-saving services in high-risk situations.

What are some common challenges paid firefighters face during a typical shift?

Paid firefighters often encounter unpredictable and high-pressure situations, including responding to fires, medical emergencies, and hazardous material incidents. Shifts can be physically demanding and may last 24 hours, requiring teamwork, quick decision-making, and strong communication skills. Additionally, firefighters must maintain equipment, participate in ongoing training, and complete detailed reports, all while balancing the emotional toll of emergency response work. Effective stress management and camaraderie within the team are essential to handling these challenges.

What is the difference between Paid Firefighter vs Volunteer Firefighter?

AspectPaid FirefighterVolunteer Firefighter
CredentialsFirefighter certification, EMT/paramedic license often requiredBasic training, certification varies by department
Work EnvironmentFull-time, scheduled shifts at fire stationsPart-time, on-call basis, often at local fire departments
Employer & Industry UsageEmployed by city, county, or municipal agenciesOperates within volunteer fire departments, community-based

Paid firefighters typically work full-time with formal training and certifications, providing emergency services as their primary job. Volunteer firefighters serve part-time, often balancing other jobs, and assist in emergencies without regular pay. Both roles are vital for community safety but differ mainly in employment status, compensation, and work commitments.

Is 25 too late to be a paid firefighter?

Paid firefighter positions typically have minimum age requirements of 18 or 21, and candidates often need to complete fire academy training and obtain certifications such as EMT or paramedic licenses. Being 25 is generally not too late to start a career as a paid firefighter, and many departments value maturity and life experience in applicants.
More about Paid Firefighter jobs

What cities are hiring for Paid Firefighter jobs?

Cities with the most Paid Firefighter job openings:

What states have the most Paid Firefighter jobs?

States with the most job openings for Paid Firefighter jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Paid Firefighter jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Paid Firefighter jobs are:

Paid Firefighter jobs near you
Infographic showing various Paid Firefighter job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 22% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,606 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Lateral Transfer Firefighter

Owensboro, KY • On-site

City of Owensboro, KY
11 - 50 employees

9.8

Company rating: 9.8 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 852 rated public administrative organizations

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Learn more about City of Owensboro, KYexternal

$16.89 - $23.84/hr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

Salary: $16.89 - $23.84 Hourly
Location : 512 W. 9th Street, Owensboro, KY
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 2026-00001
Department: OFD, Administration
Opening Date: 01/07/2026
Description
This is a Full-Time position, generally working 7:00am - 7:00am per designated shift (i.e., 24 hours on, 48 hours off). Designated work hours are subject to change on a permanent or temporary basis and include working First Shift, Second Shift, Third Shift, Weekends, and Holidays,
TO BE CONSIDERED FOR LATERAL TRANSFER FIREFIGHTER, YOU MUST HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED WITHIN THE PAST 12 MONTHS AS A FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTER WITH ANOTHER FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Applications are accepted year-round for this position. However, the City will only review and consider applications as vacancies occur. City holds entry-level Firefighter recruitments on an annual basis.
This job reports to the Captain or Lieutenant, as assigned, or as otherwise designated by management.
Relocation is not provided.
INTERESTED LATERAL TRANSFER APPLICANTS ONLY: We are currently accepting applications for lateral transfers for ENTRY LEVEL FIREFIGHTER. PLEASE READ THE BELOW INFORMATION BEFORE APPLYING TO ENSURE THAT YOU MEET OUR REQUIREMENTS.
Job Skills/Requirements
The City of Owensboro, at its discretion, may accept lateral transfers of Firefighters from other agencies at any time, as long as such persons meet the following criteria. Such persons are not required to participate in the competitive testing process.
Examples of Duties
Performs as member of the Owensboro Fire Department to ensure quality performance in saving lives, property, conservation, extinguishing fires, and responding to medical and other emergencies.
Typical Qualifications
Lateral transfers shall be limited to Firefighters who have successfully completed and maintained the following training and certifications:
  • IFSAC Firefighter I, and
  • IFSAC Firefighter II, and
  • IFSAC Hazardous Materials Awareness, and
  • IFSAC Hazardous Materials Operations, and
  • NREMT-Basic and/or ability to reciprocate with Kentucky Board of EMS for EMT-Basic certification, and

Candidates for lateral transfer must have at least two (2) consecutive years full-time paid Firefighter experience.
Current CPAT cards are required at the time of hire for out-of-state applicants, and for in-state applicants that are not members of a fire department that participates in the incentive program. A successful out-of-state applicant is required to convert training to Kentucky State Fire Rescue Training and Kentucky Board of EMS requirements.
Supplemental Information
If considered, and/or if offered a position, prior to hire, lateral transfers shall satisfactorily complete the following, but not limited to:
Comprehensive background checks, including but not limited to, polygraph, criminal, employment and personal references, motor vehicle record
Oral interview
Post-offer, pre-employment drug screen, physical exam, psychological evaluation, and any other necessary medical evaluations/screenings must be satisfactorily completed.
EXCELLENT PAY AND BENEFITS. The City of Owensboro offers a competitive base wage and benefit package, as well as participates in the State of Kentucky Firefighter Training Incentive program that currently stands at $4,562 per year.
Provided benefits include but are not limited to:
Health Insurance
Group Life Insurance
Wellness Program
Retirement
Paid time off includes, but is not limited to:
Vacation
Sick Time
Holidays (for eligible employees)
Benefits are subject to change.
01
Have you been employed within the past 12 months as a full-time hazardous duty Firefighter with another fire department?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you have at least two (2) consecutive years' full-time paid Firefighter experience?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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