Extremely interested in the fire service but what about pay and second jobs?

[LP2004]

After talking to family in the fire service as well as professors at school, and upon doing a lot of reading and self reflection, I have decided that the fire service is for me. However, it seems that firefighter/paramedics make, on average, 45 grand a year which is dismal. I would be doing a job that I love, but 45 grand would limit my freedom. So my question is what are real life firefighters doing for extra money? Or, are you guys simply living off of the average salary? Are you working second jobs? If so, are you working part time at another department or doing something competely different? I've realized that a big part of being happy in life is choosing a career that you love. For me, as far as I can tell so far, this is the one for me. I just wish it paid more and am looking for guidance and real life testomonies from paid firemen.

[jack61sgfd]

If you decide on the fire service as a career you’ll love it. Now to working a second job, most guys I know work a second job, I’m an OSHA/Safety instructor. We have guys that do everything from cut grass to work for another FD to work as an RN. It just depends what you want to do. Yes you are correct the average starting pay is around $45K but with a little hustle you can make at least another $15K-$30(depending where you live)with out killing yourself.

stay safe
JJ

[FyredUp]

Starting pay is a lot less than $45K here and yet we never fail to have far more people than we could ever hope to hire apply and test. If money is a major motivator in your life my advice is to find a different career. Sorry to sound harsh but frankly, a person wants to be a firefighter or they don't, and money, while important, simply can't be a prime motivator for wanting this job. Clearly in many parts of the country there are many other jobs that will pay far more than being a firefighter.

My second job is teaching at the local tech college part-time in the fire service program. Additionally over the years I have sold fire equipment, tried selling fire apparatus, worked construction, taught EMS, made and sold wood items I have made, sold firewood out of my yard, and worked part-time as a relief officer at a combination FD.

[hwoods]

After talking to family in the fire service as well as professors at school, and upon doing a lot of reading and self reflection, I have decided that the fire service is for me.

That's Fine, but has the Fire Service decided that you're the one that we need?

However, it seems that firefighter/paramedics make, on average, 45 grand a year which is dismal.

Averages are just that, Averages. People in Southern California make a LOT more than that. Small Cities in Rural America Pay a LOT less. You need to find out what the deal is, in the area where you want to be.

I would be doing a job that I love, but 45 grand would limit my freedom. So my question is what are real life firefighters doing for extra money? Or, are you guys simply living off of the average salary? Are you working second jobs? If so, are you working part time at another department or doing something competely different? I've realized that a big part of being happy in life is choosing a career that you love. For me, as far as I can tell so far, this is the one for me. I just wish it paid more and am looking for guidance and real life testomonies from paid firemen.

To Cut To The Chase: I am a Retired Career FIREFIGHTER (Firemen tend Boilers) who had a VERY rewarding Career in a major East Coast Department. This is also my Fiftieth Year in the Fire Department, since I was a Volunteer Firefighter before I was Hired, and I continue to Volunteer today.

I'd like to make a really serious suggestion: Earn a living at something else.

It seems really apparent that money is a serious issue to you, more so than Firefighting. If I'm correct, then I would offer that you should become a Doctor, Lawyer, Stock Broker, Corporate CEO, or whatever you wish, so that your lifestyle will be protected. In all Honesty, I think that you should join a Volunteer Fire Department somewhere, try that for a few years so you will truly understand what it's all about. TONES, I'll be back.

[dday05]

I have decided that the fire service is for me. However, it seems that firefighter/paramedics make, on average, 45 grand a year which is dismal. I would be doing a job that I love, but 45 grand would limit my freedom.

I guess you are all about the money... I am a career FF as well and don't make 45 grand. Maybe I sjould move on... Oh thats right I love this job and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. IF YOU'RE ALL ABOUT MONEY MY FRIEND MOVE ON AND LET SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BE THERE DO THE JOB.

[LVFRENG1]

It really depends on where you work. I worked in SW Missouri as a firefighter for 5 years. I left there for a department out west and made $15,000 more my first year here than my last year there, and the cost of living was really not that much more. Now I don't work 2 jobs and I'm able to do alot more things with my family. Hope this helps.

[LP2004]

I tried to make it as clear as possible that, while the money is not great, I still wanted this job. I'm looking for second job ideas. I have already started my education in this field and I will have this for a career someday.

[lrg500]

I will make approx. $26,000 this year at my full time dept. and about $5,000 at my part-time dept. Not much money, but my wife (she's a school teacher) and I live within our means and we are extremely happy with our careers. Yeah, I wish I made more but I dang sure do not want to go back and work in the private industry doing anything! This is the best job in the world, hands down!!

[RyanTX]

Try Nursing School.

[Recon509]

My first post here so here goes.

My old man "retired chief" always told me that "there ain't nothing worse than a job you don't like". Never fully understood that until I became a career firefighter. Now, I can tell you that it is the best job in the world. As everyone on here will all agree. And I would not trade it for any other job out there. We don't get paid squat round here but we all make due. I'd rather be comfortable financially and have a job I love than work my but off doing something I don't love just for some extra dough. But hey, that's just me.

be safe

"don't know what line to drop? If ya get off the engine and say aww sh$t, drop a deuce an a half"
Chief Ray Hoff

[Ha11igan]

I will make approx. $26,000 this year at my full time dept. and about $5,000 at my part-time dept. Not much money, but my wife (she's a school teacher) and I live within our means and we are extremely happy with our careers. Yeah, I wish I made more but I dang sure do not want to go back and work in the private industry doing anything! This is the best job in the world, hands down!!

You don't want to work in private industry? A place where talent and hard work are rewarded with money?

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

To Cut To The Chase: I am a Retired Career FIREFIGHTER (Firemen tend Boilers) who had a VERY rewarding Career in a major East Coast Department. This is also my Fiftieth Year in the Fire Department, since I was a Volunteer Firefighter before I was Hired, and I continue to Volunteer today.

I'd like to make a really serious suggestion: Earn a living at something else.

It seems really apparent that money is a serious issue to you, more so than Firefighting. If I'm correct, then I would offer that you should become a Doctor, Lawyer, Stock Broker, Corporate CEO, or whatever you wish, so that your lifestyle will be protected. In all Honesty, I think that you should join a Volunteer Fire Department somewhere, try that for a few years so you will truly understand what it's all about. TONES, I'll be back.

Dead on, Harve!

[TMWight]

LP, for me personally it's not a matter of pay. Some people in the fire service feels it's their calling, feel like they were put on this world to help people, that's why we still have volunteers. It's not the money for a lot of guys, if you're looking to get rich in life this isn't the job for you. If you want a rewarding career and feel good about what you do in life, then this is the place.

[jakesdad]

With any other profession in the world, asking a question about the salary would seem completely appropriate.

But for some reason, whenever a prospective firefighter even asks a single question about benefits, pay or lifestyle, he is met with the usual cries of "this job isn't for you" or "if money matters to you, then you should look to do something else".

Give this guy a break. He is asking the same questions someone would be askign when considering any other career. While much of the advice is accurate, there is a general undertone that suggests by asking these questions that he is somehow not the right person for this job.

Worrying about how you will put a roof over your head or feed your family does not make you less dedicated to the profession. There are plenty of us that do this job with the utmost dedication that have these same concerns.

[AKflightmedic]

45K a year to work 10 days a month, less than that with Kelly days and holidays.

The ability to shift trade and take more time off in larger chunks...

Sounds pretty good to me...just sayin.

[GregMasters]

With any other profession in the world, asking a question about the salary would seem completely appropriate.

But for some reason, whenever a prospective firefighter even asks a single question about benefits, pay or lifestyle, he is met with the usual cries of "this job isn't for you" or "if money matters to you, then you should look to do something else".

Give this guy a break. He is asking the same questions someone would be askign when considering any other career. While much of the advice is accurate, there is a general undertone that suggests by asking these questions that he is somehow not the right person for this job.

Worrying about how you will put a roof over your head or feed your family does not make you less dedicated to the profession. There are plenty of us that do this job with the utmost dedication that have these same concerns.

In principle, I agree with Jakesdad. Asking about salaries, typical work schedules, and benefits before deciding on a career is a sign of mature thinking, not a sign that someone is "only interested in money."

However, in this particular case, I think the negative reactions are probably related to the way that the question was asked. The original poster actually used the word "dismal" in describing the average pay for firefighters.

If you started a conversation with a truck driver or a school teacher by telling him that the average pay for his profession was "dismal" I don't think you'd get a very positive response - same for firefighters. If the OP had asked about salaries and secondary employment without using the word "dismal" or the phrase "45 grand would limit my freedom," I would hope the response from members of the forum would have been different.

[jakesdad]

In principle, I agree with Jakesdad. Asking about salaries, typical work schedules, and benefits before deciding on a career is a sign of mature thinking, not a sign that someone is "only interested in money."

However, in this particular case, I think the negative reactions are probably related to the way that the question was asked. The original poster actually used the word "dismal" in describing the average pay for firefighters.

If you started a conversation with a truck driver or a school teacher by telling him that the average pay for his profession was "dismal" I don't think you'd get a very positive response - same for firefighters. If the OP had asked about salaries and secondary employment without using the word "dismal" or the phrase "45 grand would limit my freedom," I would hope the response from members of the forum would have been different.

I undertand where you are coming from, but the truth is that there are areas of this country in which the salary for a firefighter is DISMAL. Less than 30K a year to start in many East Coast departments with the cost of living as high as any place in the country could be considered dismal.

While there are many other benefits to being a firefighter, such as rewarding work, comraderie and brotherhood, flexible schedules and pensions, salaries are the reason why everyone tells you not to "take this job for the money" in the first place.

I just can't be offended by someone who is simply telling it like it is.

[ScareCrow57]

Most of the paid guys around here have businesses and those that don't have a full time job. The FD is like their part time job.

[hwoods]

In principle, I agree with Jakesdad. Asking about salaries, typical work schedules, and benefits before deciding on a career is a sign of mature thinking, not a sign that someone is "only interested in money."

However, in this particular case, I think the negative reactions are probably related to the way that the question was asked. The original poster actually used the word "dismal" in describing the average pay for firefighters.

If you started a conversation with a truck driver or a school teacher by telling him that the average pay for his profession was "dismal" I don't think you'd get a very positive response - same for firefighters. If the OP had asked about salaries and secondary employment without using the word "dismal" or the phrase "45 grand would limit my freedom," I would hope the response from members of the forum would have been different.

You are Correct, at least from where I'm standing. First Impressions are often a indicator of not only where someone is at the moment, but also where they are headed over the long haul. My concern here is twofold: A - Someone takes a job and wastes a couple of years of their life figuring out if it is a good fit, or not. B - Someone takes a job and their employer spends a lot of money on them in Training, only to see that investment wander off to do something else.

One thing that may be different about me is that I had absolutely no interest in moving away to another part of the Country. If I could not get a Firefighting Job in this area, then I'd work at something else. My first Firefighting position was a 30 mile drive, one way, in a major city's Paid department. I left there after 4 years to take a job as a Paid Driver in Volunteer department that was only a few miles away. There are people who will move or commute a large distance to work, and that's OK by me, it's just that I'm not one of them.

[jakesdad]

You are Correct, at least from where I'm standing. First Impressions are often a indicator of not only where someone is at the moment, but also where they are headed over the long haul. My concern here is twofold: A - Someone takes a job and wastes a couple of years of their life figuring out if it is a good fit, or not. B - Someone takes a job and their employer spends a lot of money on them in Training, only to see that investment wander off to do something else.

One thing that may be different about me is that I had absolutely no interest in moving away to another part of the Country. If I could not get a Firefighting Job in this area, then I'd work at something else. My first Firefighting position was a 30 mile drive, one way, in a major city's Paid department. I left there after 4 years to take a job as a Paid Driver in Volunteer department that was only a few miles away. There are people who will move or commute a large distance to work, and that's OK by me, it's just that I'm not one of them.

So are you suggesting that its OK to question the commute, but not the salary?

Seems the commute was important to you. Did that make you less dedicated or more likely to "wander off" ?

To imply that this poster might decide to leave after a few years, or waste his employers money on training simply because he is asking about the compensation of the profession makes abslutely no sense.