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

Public safety

Mississippi employs 2,920 firefighters, with a statewide median of $35,880 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Mississippi licensing picture, and where to train.

What Firefighters Earn in Mississippi (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in Mississippi

Prices in Mississippi run about 13% below the national average (cost-of-living index 87.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $35,880 median stretches to roughly $41,241 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Mississippi (2024–2034)

Mississippi is projected to grow firefighters employment +5.2%, faster than the +3.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 240 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Mississippi License and Certification Requirements

Firefighter I / II certification (NFPA 1001) — regulated by the Mississippi fire departments / Mississippi State Fire Academy.

1. Complete a fire academy (the Mississippi State Fire Academy or a department-run academy).
2. Earn Firefighter I and II certification (NFPA 1001-based).
3. Add EMT certification — most departments require it — then apply to departments.

Official requirements: Mississippi fire departments / Mississippi State Fire Academy →

Training in Mississippi

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Mississippi include:

• Meridian Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Firefighters Work in Mississippi

Real Mississippi fire departments that employ firefighters include:

• Lafayette County Fire Department Station 7 — Abbeville
• Aberdeen Fire Department — Aberdeen
• Cedar Creek Volunteer Fire Department — Aberdeen
• Prairie Volunteer Fire Department Station 2 — Aberdeen
• Rural Hill Volunteer Fire Department — Aberdeen
• Wren Volunteer Fire Department Station 1 — Aberdeen

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), Mississippi statewide and metro estimates for SOC 33-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Mississippi fire departments / Mississippi State Fire Academy (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 Mississippi wages · Mississippi 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.