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Firefighter in Massachusetts: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Public safety

Massachusetts employs 11,940 firefighters, with a statewide median of $72,800 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.

What Firefighters Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)

Massachusetts median pay: $72,800 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $49,730
Experienced (75th percentile): $80,070
Top earners (90th percentile): $98,130
Employed in Massachusetts: 11,940
U.S. median (for comparison): $57,120 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for firefighters in major Massachusetts markets:

Cape Cod: $74,870 (490 employed)
Boston: $73,990 (8,510 employed)
Springfield: $66,720 (830 employed)
Worcester: $66,310 (1,360 employed)
Providence: $66,150 (2,550 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts

Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $72,800 median is worth closer to $68,809 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)

Massachusetts is projected to grow firefighters employment +4.4%, faster than the +3.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 960 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements

Firefighter I & II Certification (MFTC) — post-employment training — regulated by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council (MFTC) / Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA).

Massachusetts is a post-employment state — you must be appointed to a fire department first before attending the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) recruit training program. Most career departments hire candidates and then send them to MFA as part of employment.
Complete the MFA 10-week recruit training program based on NFPA 1001. Certification exams (written and practical) are administered by the MFTC. EMT certification is required by most Massachusetts career departments as a condition of employment.
Most Massachusetts career fire departments (Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge) use civil service hiring with written exams, physical fitness tests, and background investigations. Physical preparation and EMT certification before applying are strongly advised.

Official requirements: Massachusetts Fire Training Council (MFTC) / Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) →

Training in Massachusetts

Boston Fire Department, Worcester Fire, Springfield Fire, and Cambridge Fire are the largest career departments. Massachusetts' civil service system means hiring timelines can be long — building your EMT certification and staying on civil service lists while continuing other work is common. MFTC certification is IFSAC-accredited, making it recognized nationally.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:

Berkshire Community College — Associate
Bristol Community College — Associate
Bunker Hill Community College — Certificate / Associate
Cape Cod Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Firefighters Work in Massachusetts

Real Massachusetts fire departments that employ firefighters include:

Abington Fire Department Station 1 Headquarters — Abington
Acton Fire Department District 2 — Acton
Acton Fire Department District 3 — Acton
Acton Fire Station District 1 — Acton
Acushnet Fire Department Station 1 Headquarters — Acushnet
Adams Fire Department — Adams

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People drawn to public service, physical challenge, and team-based work with a clear civic purpose.

Think twice if: Shift work, physical fitness testing, fire and smoke exposure, and civil service hiring timelines sound prohibitive.

Why it's resilient: Firefighting requires physical presence, real-time judgment, community trust, and licensed skills that are inherently resistant to automation.

First Steps

Research your local fire department's recruitment cycle and start EMT-Basic training as the first practical step.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do firefighters make in Massachusetts?

The median wage for firefighters in Massachusetts is $72,800 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $49,730, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $98,130. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Firefighter in Massachusetts?

Firefighter I & II Certification (MFTC) — post-employment training, overseen by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council (MFTC) / Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA). Massachusetts is a post-employment state — you must be appointed to a fire department first before attending the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) recruit training program. Most career departments hire candidates and then send them to MFA as part of employment.

Is being a Firefighter a good career in Massachusetts?

Firefighting requires physical presence, real-time judgment, community trust, and licensed skills that are inherently resistant to automation.

Which Massachusetts metros pay firefighters the most?

Among Massachusetts metro areas, Cape Cod leads at $74,870, followed by Boston ($73,990), Springfield ($66,720). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Firefighter in Massachusetts?

Real Massachusetts options include Berkshire Community College, Bristol Community College, Bunker Hill Community College. Most firefighters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Firefighter a growing career in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts projects firefighters employment to change +4.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 960 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 33-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Massachusetts Fire Training Council (MFTC) / Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.