Fire Inspector
Median wage · national
$75,920
Range: $59K – $95K
Employed
14K
Openings/yr
2K
Typically: postsecondary nondegree award
TRADES
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers earn $93,530 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $72,140 and $119,500. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.
- Median Wage
- $93,530
- Employed Nationally
- 99K
- Openings / Year
- 6,500
- Entry Education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Battalion Chief
Captain
Chief
Crew Boss
Crew Chief
How Much Do First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers Make?
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers earn $93,530 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $72,140 and $119,500. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$93,530
National Median (Annual)
Well above average for college graduates.
$72K–$120K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$72,140
Entry-level
$93,530
Median
$119,500
Experienced
What Do First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons and maximize application of extinguishing agents.
- Provide emergency medical services as required, and perform light to heavy rescue functions at emergencies.
- Assess nature and extent of fire, condition of building, danger to adjacent buildings, and water supply status to determine crew or company requirements.
- Communicate fire details to superiors, subordinates, or interagency dispatch centers, using two-way radios.
- Serve as a working leader of an engine, hand, helicopter, or prescribed fire crew of three or more firefighters.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Who Thrives Here
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
High
High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.
What Is the Job Outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers?
The BLS projects +3.4% employment change for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 6,500 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +3.4%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
6,500
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
99K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $93,530 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 9,180 | $82,680 | -11.6% |
| 2 | Florida | 8,190 | $97,380 | +4.1% |
| 3 | California | 7,570 | $133,580 | +42.8% |
| 4 | North Carolina | 4,290 | $63,840 | -31.7% |
| 5 | New York | 4,130 | $131,060 | +40.1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers positions require a postsecondary nondegree award to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fire Protection | 13,533 | $86,436 | 488 |
| 2 | Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,147 | $56,185 | 185 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 2 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| 3 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL | 91 | $14,860 | $91,885 |
| 4 | University of Florida-Online Gainesville, FL | 90 | $4,815 | $71,588 |
| 5 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CA | 90 | $1,947 | $36,119 |
| 6 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA | 89 | $19,066 | $101,817 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers Pros & Cons
The data on First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Very high median salary The national median of $93,530 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $119,500 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a postsecondary nondegree award, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Earnings and demand vary significantly by region National figures for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers mask real geographic variation. High-demand metros can pay 20% or more above the national median while lower-cost or rural markets often fall well short. Where you work matters nearly as much as your credentials.
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers Frequently Asked Questions
How much do First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers is $93,530, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $72,140 and $119,500. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $93,530 median, with +3.4% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become a First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers?
Most First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers positions require a postsecondary nondegree award as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Fire Protection are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers?
The BLS projects +3.4% employment change for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 6,500 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 99K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
Why do First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers professionals earn so much?
At $93,530 median with a Zone 3 preparation level, First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers compensates well because specialized expertise creates high economic value per hour, and the role typically carries meaningful liability, decision-making responsibility, or direct revenue impact. Industries that depend on this skill set pay competitively to attract and retain people who are genuinely good at it.
What skills do First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers roles: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making, and Reading Comprehension. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
Colleges
Discover 3,811 verified US colleges and universities. Compare admissions, costs, outcomes, and earnings across every accredited institution nationwide.
Majors
Explore 38 fields of study spanning STEM, health, business, and the humanities. See earnings, top programs, and demand.
Programs
Browse 375 specific degree programs. See completion counts, earnings outcomes, and the colleges awarding the most graduates each year.
Careers
Look up 395 BLS occupations. Get median wages, growth projections, education requirements, and the majors leading to each career.