Fire Services Administration: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for professionals aiming to lead and manage fire services within public safety organizations, this program equips learners with advanced knowledge in strategic fire operations, emergency response coordination, and organizational governance. It emphasizes leadership, policy development, and operational efficiency in complex fire protection environments.
- Fire Protection History and Theory: Explores the evolution of fire prevention practices, fire science advancements, and foundational principles that shape modern fire safety standards.
- Incident Command Leadership: Develops expertise in crisis leadership, real-time decision-making, and structured command systems during high-pressure emergency scenarios.
- Administration of Public Fire Organizations: Covers the operational frameworks, structural design, and governance models essential for managing municipal and regional fire departments.
- Labor Relations in Fire Services: Addresses collective bargaining, union dynamics, employee relations, and conflict resolution within public safety workforces.
- Emergency Medical Services Management: Integrates EMS coordination with fire response, focusing on medical protocols, team integration, and emergency healthcare delivery.
- Fire Emergency Response Strategies and Mitigation: Teaches systematic approaches to incident suppression, risk reduction, and long-term hazard mitigation planning.
- Legal and Regulatory Responsibilities: Examines federal, state, and local laws governing fire safety, compliance, liability, and the enforcement of fire codes.
- Budgeting and Financial Management: Provides tools for fiscal planning, resource allocation, grant acquisition, and cost-effective operations within public fire agencies.
- Public Relations and Community Engagement: Focuses on building trust, communicating risk, and fostering collaboration with diverse communities through outreach and education.
- Organizational Leadership and Strategic Planning: Cultivates skills in vision setting, change management, performance evaluation, and long-term institutional development.
Fire Services Administration Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Fire Services Administration Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Fire Services Administration degrees, including Managers, All Other, First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers and Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 835,810 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers 33-1021 | $92,430 | $53,970 - $142,300 | 93,680 | $44.44 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1194 | $61,490 | $38,680 - $106,580 | 111,150 | $29.56 |
Fire Services Administration Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $65,277 in Mississippi to $126,483 in California—a 94% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 835,810 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Fire Services Administration by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 50 institutions offering Fire Services Administration programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Fire Services Administration is found at Columbia Southern University (CSU) (974 graduates), Purdue University Global (157 graduates), Waldorf University (64 graduates), American Public University System (APUS) (56 graduates), and Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (52 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,709 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Southern University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
974 | Orange Beach, Alabama | Private | columbiasouthern.edu |
| Purdue University Global |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
157 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdueglobal.edu |
| Waldorf University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
64 | Forest City, Iowa | Private | waldorf.edu |
| American Public University System (APUS) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
56 | Charles Town, West Virginia | Private | apus.edu |
| Southern Illinois University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52 | Carbondale, Illinois | Public | siu.edu |
| Eastern Oregon University (EOU) |
Bachelor's
|
44 | La Grande, Oregon | Public | eou.edu |
| Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
41 | Bossier City, Louisiana | Public | bpcc.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Los Angeles, California | Public | calstatela.edu |
| Fayetteville State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Fayetteville, North Carolina | Public | uncfsu.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice |
Bachelor's
|
18 | New York, New York | Public | jjay.cuny.edu |
| Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Phenix City, Alabama | Public | cv.edu |
| Bucks County Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15 | Newtown, Pennsylvania | Public | bucks.edu |
| Western Illinois University (WIU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Macomb, Illinois | Public | wiu.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Sinclair Community College |
Residency
|
14 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
13 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
| West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) |
Associate's
|
11 | Waco, Georgia | Public | westgatech.edu |
| Salem State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Salem, Massachusetts | Public | salemstate.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| Oklahoma State University (OSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Stillwater, Oklahoma | Public | okstate.edu |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Denver, Colorado | Public | msudenver.edu |
| Albany Technical College |
Associate's
|
7 | Albany, Georgia | Public | albanytech.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) |
Associate's
|
4 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | atlantatech.edu |
| Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Public | qcc.edu |
| Weatherford College (WC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Weatherford, Texas | Public | wc.edu |
| Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) |
Residency
|
3 | Belleville, Illinois | Public | swic.edu |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| Passaic County Community College (PCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Paterson, New Jersey | Public | web.pccc.edu |
| Columbia Basin College (CBC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Pasco, Washington | Public | columbiabasin.edu |
| Pierce College District |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
3 | Lakewood, Washington | Public | pierce.ctc.edu |
| Southern Crescent Technical College (SCTC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Griffin, Georgia | Public | sctech.edu |
| Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) |
Residency
|
2 | Springfield, Illinois | Public | llcc.edu |
| Lake Superior College (LSC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | lsc.edu |
| University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Public | cps.unh.edu |
| Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Mount Laurel, New Jersey | Public | rcbc.edu |
| Providence College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | providence.edu |
| Pima Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
| Connecticut State Community College (CT State) |
Associate's
|
1 | Hartford, Connecticut | Public | ctstate.edu |
| The Catholic University of America |
Master's
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | catholic.edu |
| Lanier Technical College (Lanier Tech) |
Associate's
|
1 | Gainesville, Georgia | Public | laniertech.edu |
| Savannah Technical College |
Associate's
|
1 | Savannah, Georgia | Public | savannahtech.edu |
| Frederick Community College (FCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Frederick, Maryland | Public | frederick.edu |
| Cape Cod Community College (4Cs) |
Other Award
|
1 | West Barnstable, Massachusetts | Public | capecod.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Associate's
|
1 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| Camden County College (CCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Blackwood, New Jersey | Public | camdencc.edu |
| Northampton County Area Community College (NCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Public | northampton.edu |
| Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) |
Associate's
|
1 | Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin | Public | mstc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Fire Services Administration programs
How much can I earn with a Fire Services Administration degree?
Salaries for Fire Services Administration graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers earn around $92,430. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $126,483 compared to $65,277 in Mississippi. Approximately 835,810 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Fire Services Administration programs?
Currently 50 accredited institutions offer Fire Services Administration degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Columbia Southern University (CSU) (974 graduates), Purdue University Global (157 graduates), and Waldorf University (64 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Fire Services Administration growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 746 in 2010 to 1,709 in 2023-24. This represents a 129% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Fire Services Administration degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers, and Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 835,810 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Security & Safety Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Security & Safety field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Security Science and Technology
Any instructional program in security science and technology not listed above.
Protective Services
Any instructional program in homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting, and related protective services not listed above.
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Instructional content for this group of programs is defined in codes 43.0100 - 43.0199.
CNC Machinist Technology
A program that prepares individuals to study the theories and principles, of correctional science and to function as professional corrections officers and other...
Criminal Justice Administration
A program that prepares individuals to apply theories and practices of organization management and criminal justice to the administration of public law enforcement...
Criminal Justice and Safety Studies
A program that focuses on the criminal justice system, its organizational components and processes, and its legal and public policy contexts. Includes instruction...