Firefighter in North Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Public safety

North Dakota employs 820 firefighters, with a statewide median of $55,080 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Firefighters Earn in North Dakota (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in North Dakota

Prices in North Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $55,080 median stretches to roughly $61,888 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Dakota (2024–2034)

North Dakota is projected to grow firefighters employment +6.5%, faster than the +3.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 60 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

North Dakota License and Certification Requirements

Firefighter I / II certification (NFPA 1001) — regulated by the North Dakota fire departments / state fire training.

1. Complete a fire academy (a department-run or approved 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: North Dakota fire departments / state fire training →

Training in North Dakota

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 North Dakota include:

• Dickinson State University — Associate

Where Firefighters Work in North Dakota

Real North Dakota fire departments that employ firefighters include:

• Abercrombie Fire Department — Abercrombie
• Adams Rural Fire Department — Adams
• Alamo Rural Fire Department — Alamo
• Alexander Volunteer Fire Department — Alexander
• Alice Fire Protection District Station — Alice
• Almont Rural Fire Protection District Number 1 — Almont

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), North Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 33-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the North Dakota fire departments / state fire training (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 North Dakota wages · North Dakota 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.