Firefighter in New Jersey: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Public safety

New Jersey employs 7,500 firefighters, with a statewide median of $84,130 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Jersey licensing picture, and where to train.

What Firefighters Earn in New Jersey (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in New Jersey

Prices in New Jersey run about 9% above the national average (cost-of-living index 108.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $84,130 median is worth closer to $77,325 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Jersey (2024–2034)

New Jersey is projected to grow firefighters employment +3.9%, about in line with the +3.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 550 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Jersey License and Certification Requirements

New Jersey Firefighter I certification (NFPA 1001 / Division of Fire Safety-certified) — regulated by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.

1. Complete a NJ Division of Fire Safety-approved fire academy covering NFPA 1001 Firefighter I standards (approximately 240 hours minimum). The Cape May County Fire Training Academy, Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute, and many other county academies offer certified programs. Career departments in Newark, Jersey City, and other large cities run their own recruit academies.
2. Pass Division of Fire Safety Firefighter I certification exams. New Jersey requires EMT certification for career firefighters (integrated fire-EMS model); paramedic is preferred by major departments.
3. Newark FD, Jersey City FD, Trenton FD, and Elizabeth FD are the largest career departments. NJ's large suburban system (Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth counties) has dozens of combination and volunteer departments that provide entry pathways.

Official requirements: New Jersey Division of Fire Safety →

Training in New Jersey

New Jersey's fire service is highly unionized (FMBA — Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association) with strong pay and benefits at career departments. Newark FD and Jersey City FD offer competitive wages but have competitive hiring processes. The northern NJ suburbs pay among the highest firefighter wages in the country. EMT at minimum — paramedic preferred — is the clear expectation for career hiring.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Jersey include:

• Camden County College — Associate
• County College of Morris — Associate
• Mercer County Community College — Associate
• Middlesex College — Associate

Where Firefighters Work in New Jersey

Real New Jersey fire departments that employ firefighters include:

• Absecon Volunteer Fire Department — Absecon
• Howell Township Fire Company Adelphia Station 2 — Adelphia
• Winslow Township Fire District Station 6 Albion — Albion
• Allamuchy Fire Department — Allamuchy
• Allendale Volunteer Fire Department — Allendale
• Allenhurst Fire Department — Allenhurst

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), New Jersey statewide and metro estimates for SOC 33-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety (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 New Jersey wages · New Jersey 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.