Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
Less than 5 years
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers oversee teams that protect people and property from fires and related hazards. With national employment of 97,000 workers and a projected growth rate of 3.4%, this role offers a sizable and steadily expanding field. The national median annual salary of $92,430 reflects the responsibility that comes with supervising firefighting and prevention activities. Career success in this occupation draws heavily on leadership, problem solving and decision making, and the ability to stay detail oriented under pressure. Strong speaking and listening skills, interpersonal strengths, and adaptability are also central, along with physical strength and stamina. For individuals already in firefighting or related protective service roles, this path can be a logical next step into formal supervision. Those considering alternatives may also look at related supervisory roles in protective services, or other leadership-oriented careers such as chefs and head cooks or aircraft cargo handling supervisors.
The national median annual salary for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers is $92,430, but pay varies across states and metro areas. Several locations stand out with higher median salaries. New York reports a median salary of $132,520 and Washington is close behind at $129,350. California also offers a relatively high median of $127,630, while Colorado and Massachusetts report $102,580 and $96,600 respectively. At the metro level, earnings can be even higher. The San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area has a median salary of $171,740, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports $159,570. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro sits at $132,810, while the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area offers $118,570 and the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro reports $96,740. These figures show substantial geographic differences in earning potential within this career.
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers have a national employment base of 97,000, indicating a well-established occupation. Projected employment growth of 3.4% suggests that total employment is expected to increase over time. With an estimated 6,000 annual openings, there should be recurring opportunities for new supervisors as positions are created and existing roles turn over. This combination of an existing workforce and ongoing openings can be attractive both for current firefighting professionals seeking promotion and for individuals planning their long-term career pathways. The consistent 3.4% growth rate also appears in the top states and metro areas highlighted for this occupation, suggesting that expansion is not limited to a single region. Overall, the data point to a stable field with continuing demand for qualified supervisors who bring leadership, decision-making, and strong communication skills to firefighting and prevention teams.
Geography plays a significant role in the opportunities available to first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington all score strongly on CareerGPS opportunity scores, ranging from 56.29 to 67.38. New York and Washington feature some of the highest median salaries at $132,520 and $129,350, while California combines a high median salary of $127,630 with the largest listed employment level of 8,170. Massachusetts and Colorado also offer solid median salaries and employment counts, with growth of 3.4% in all five states. At the metro level, differences become even more pronounced. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out with a median salary of $171,740 and the highest opportunity score of 77.42, followed closely by New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ with a score of 77.27. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also show strong scores, illustrating that both state-level and metro-level choices can meaningfully affect pay and opportunity.
The typical education requirement for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers is a postsecondary nondegree award. This means that while a traditional four-year degree is not specified, some formal education beyond high school is typical. However, education is only part of the picture. The skill profile for this occupation emphasizes leadership and project management, reflecting the need to coordinate teams and activities. Problem solving and decision making, detail orientation, and adaptability support effective supervision in dynamic situations. Strong speaking and listening skills and interpersonal abilities are central to directing staff and working with others. Physical strength and stamina remain important, aligning with the physical demands often associated with firefighting and prevention work. Science skills also play a role, suggesting an ability to understand relevant technical or safety concepts. Together, this mix of education and skills supports progression into a supervisory role for those prepared to lead people and processes effectively.
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