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

Public safety

Minnesota employs 5,810 firefighters, with a statewide median of $38,110 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Firefighters Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota

Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $38,110 median stretches to roughly $38,651 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Minnesota (2024–2034)

Minnesota is projected to grow firefighters employment +4.2%, faster than the +3.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 450 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Minnesota License and Certification Requirements

Firefighter I / II certification (NFPA 1001) — regulated by the Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training & Education (MBFTE) / fire departments.

1. Complete a fire academy or Firefighter I & II training (Minnesota State colleges and departments offer it).
2. Earn Firefighter I and II certification (NFPA 1001-based).
3. Add EMT certification — most departments require it — then apply to departments.

Official requirements: Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training & Education (MBFTE) / fire departments →

Training in Minnesota

Competitive hiring; EMT (or paramedic) plus academy certs make you a stronger candidate. Many start as volunteers/paid-on-call.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Minnesota include:

• Central Lakes College-Brainerd — Certificate
• Century College — Certificate / Associate
• Hennepin Technical College — Certificate / Associate
• Lake Superior College — Certificate / Associate

Where Firefighters Work in Minnesota

Real Minnesota fire departments that employ firefighters include:

• Ada Volunteer Fire Department — Ada
• Adams Volunteer Fire Department — Adams
• Adrian Volunteer Fire Department and Volunteer Ambulance Service — Adrian
• Aitkin Fire Department — Aitkin
• Eastern Hubbard County Fire District Akeley Fire and Rescue — Akeley
• Albany Fire Department — Albany

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

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Minnesota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 33-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Minnesota Board of Firefighter Training & Education (MBFTE) / fire departments (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 Minnesota wages · Minnesota 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.