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

Public safety

Pennsylvania employs 5,020 firefighters, with a statewide median of $73,460 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Pennsylvania licensing picture, and where to train.

What Firefighters Earn in Pennsylvania (May 2025)

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

What That Pay Is Worth in Pennsylvania

Prices in Pennsylvania run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 97.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $73,460 median stretches to roughly $75,266 in national buying-power terms.

Pennsylvania License and Certification Requirements

Firefighter I & II certification (NFPA 1001 / PSFA-certified) — regulated by the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy (PSFA) — Office of State Fire Commissioner.

1. Complete a PSFA-certified fire training program meeting NFPA 1001 Firefighter I and II standards. Training is delivered by the State Fire Academy (Lewistown) and dozens of regional delivery sites through county emergency management. Volunteer academies are also common.
2. Pass PSFA Firefighter I and II certification exams (written and practical). Career departments in Philadelphia (PFD) and Pittsburgh (Bureau of Fire) run their own recruit academies for hired candidates.
3. Pennsylvania has both career and volunteer departments. Philadelphia PFD and Pittsburgh Fire both use civil-service processes. Suburban Philadelphia and Pittsburgh counties have combination departments with regular hiring.

Official requirements: Pennsylvania State Fire Academy (PSFA) — Office of State Fire Commissioner →

Training in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has over 2,400 fire companies — mostly volunteer — which provides entry opportunities statewide. Philadelphia Fire Department is one of the larger career departments in the Northeast. Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire and Allegheny County departments are active recruiters. EMT certification, while not always required upfront, significantly improves hire odds.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Pennsylvania include:

• Bucks County Community College — Certificate / Associate
• Butler County Community College — Certificate
• Community College of Allegheny County — Certificate / Associate
• Community College of Philadelphia — Certificate / Associate

Where Firefighters Work in Pennsylvania

Real Pennsylvania fire departments that employ firefighters include:

• New Oxford United Hook and Ladder Company - Station 33 - 2 — Abbottstown
• Abington Fire Company Station 100 — Abington
• Bullskin Township Volunteer Fire Department Station 3 - 45 — Acme
• Adah Volunteer Fire Department Station 1 — Adah
• Adamsburg Volunteer Fire Department - Station 10 — Adamsburg
• Adamstown Fire Company 1 Station 11 — Adamstown

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), Pennsylvania statewide and metro estimates for SOC 33-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy (PSFA) — Office of State Fire Commissioner (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 Pennsylvania wages · Pennsylvania licensing/certification source

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.