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Paid Firefighter Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Firefighter - $1000 Hiring Bonus Weekly Pay | Full-Time | Immediate Openings Securitas USA is ... Paid Time Off (PTO) * Free uniforms * Full-time, stable schedule * Work for a global leader in fire ...

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Paid Firefighter information

See Indiana salary details

$27.1K

$56.7K

$95.2K

How much do paid firefighter jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for paid firefighter in Indiana is $56,719.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,300.00 and $65,700.00 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.

What are popular job titles related to Paid Firefighter jobs in Indiana?

For Paid Firefighter jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

The top searched job categories for Paid Firefighter jobs in Indiana are:

Infographic showing various Paid Firefighter job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,719 per year, or $27.3 per hour.

Wildland Firefighter (Fire Suppression)

Bedford, IN


U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

455th of 852 rated public administrative organizations

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer


$44K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

These positions will be located at a USDA Forest Service Unit
.The purpose of these positions is wildland fire suppression/management/control, as a firefighter on an engine, hotshot, helitack or hand crew. Other wildland fire related duties might involve fire prevention, patrol, detection, or prescribed burning.
See ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for the specific contact information.Qualifications:In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GW-03: You must have minimum six (6) months experience of any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of a Wildland Firefighter position, or general experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the Wildland Firefighter occupation. -OR- Successful completion of a one (1)-year of related education or appropriate firefighting training may be substituted for experience on a month-for-month basis. Firefighting training obtained as part of a high school curriculum-may be substituted for the six (6) months of general experience required for a GW-03. -OR- an appropriate combination of experience and education.
Examples of General Experience may include: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding and tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities; Worked in a greenhouse or nursery moving, watering, and tending plants and performing other general labor tasks; Fed and watered animals, such as in a laboratory, pet store, or zoo; Any work experience, paid or unpaid. Unpaid experience, for example, may be regular volunteer work, such as at a park, community sports league facilities, etc.
For the GW-04: You must have six (6) months of general work experience or military service that demonstrated the ability to follow directions and to read, understand, and retain a variety of instructions, regulations, and procedures and that otherwise demonstrates the ability to perform or learn to perform the duties of the position. AND six (6) months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GW-03 in the federal service or equivalent. -OR- Successful completion of a two (2)-year course of study in an accredited college or university in Fire Training, Fire Science, Fire Technology or other related fields of study is qualifying for GW-4. OR an appropriate combination of experience and education.
Examples of General Experience may include: Performed farm/ranch labor, such as feeding/tending livestock or general maintenance of farm/ranch facilities and/or worked in a greenhouse, nursery or landscaping e.g., planting, moving, watering, and tending plants and/or animal caretaker in a laboratory, zoo or pet store and/or volunteer work at a park, hospital, community sports league, local fire department, etc.
Examples of specialized experience may include: Performed natural resource support work, e.g., forestry, range, park technician, wildland firefighter, or similar jobs; performed routine support assignments in a forestry specialty area, e.g., wilderness, timber, fire prevention/control, etc.
Selective Placement Factors
Primary firefighter positions include the following age requirements: Under age 37 -OR- less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service worked in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position -OR- a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and is requesting a waiver to the maximum age requirement -OR-currently occupy a permanent position with primary fire fighter retirement coverage.For those who do not currently occupy a permanent Federal position covered under primary fire fighter retirement, you must be under age 37; less than age 37 after subtracting the months of Permanent Federal Service in a primary or secondary firefighter/law enforcement position; or a veteran preference eligible, older than age 37 and requesting a waiver to the requirement.
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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
FIREFIGHTER RETIREMENT COVERAGE: This is a primary/rigorous position covered under the special retirement provisions of 5 USC 8336(c) for the Civil Service Retirement System and of 5 USC 8412(d) for the Federal Employees Retirement System.
WORK CAPACITY TEST (WCT) for Wildland Firefighters: This position participates in wildland firefighting activities. Based on the type of work performed, TAKING and PASSING the WCT at the ARDUOUS level is a condition of employment.
Selective Placement Factor for Promotion to GW-5: This position has been identified under the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) or Forest Service Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) and is subject to selective placement factor requirements contained in the Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) Standard and Guide when filling this vacancy. IFPM or FS-FPM selective placement factors are made up of a primary and secondary National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) core Incident Management Qualifications and Required Training.
Interagency Fire Program Management (IFPM) and Forest Service - Fire Program Management (FS-FPM) qualifications must be met by the time of selection. Most recent IQCS master record and/or signed Agency Certified task book must be attached to your application. If you are selected, you may be required to submit an updated IQCS master record or signed Agency Certified task book as proof of attainment of IFPM requirements prior to a final verbal offer.
To receive consideration for this position, you must provide updated required documents and meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.Education:See QUALIFICATIONS section for education requirements.Employment Type: OTHER


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