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

Public safety

Oregon employs 3,790 firefighters, with a statewide median of $70,900 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Oregon licensing picture, and where to train.

What Firefighters Earn in Oregon (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in Oregon

Prices in Oregon run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.4 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $70,900 median is worth closer to $68,569 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in Oregon (2024–2034)

Oregon is projected to grow firefighters employment +6.0%, faster than the +3.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 320 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Oregon License and Certification Requirements

Firefighter I / II certification (NFPA 1001) — regulated by the Oregon Dept. of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) / fire departments.

1. Complete a fire academy (a department-run or approved academy).
2. Earn Firefighter I and II certification (NFPA 1001-based) — Oregon certifies through DPSST.
3. Add EMT certification — most departments require it — then apply to departments.

Official requirements: Oregon Dept. of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) / fire departments →

Training in Oregon

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

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Oregon include:

• Blue Mountain Community College — Associate
• Central Oregon Community College — Certificate / Associate
• Chemeketa Community College — Associate
• Clackamas Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Firefighters Work in Oregon

Real Oregon fire departments that employ firefighters include:

• Adair Rural Fire and Rescue Main Station 1401 — Adair Village
• East Umatilla Fire and Rescue District Station 62 — Adams
• Adrian Fire Department — Adrian
• Agness Illahe Rural Fire Protection District — Agness
• Agness Illahee Fire Department — Agness
• Polk County Fire District 1 Station 80 Airlie — Airlie

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), Oregon statewide and metro estimates for SOC 33-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Oregon Dept. of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) / 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 Oregon wages · Oregon 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.