Fire Protection: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Fire Protection programs prepare students for careers dedicated to safeguarding life, property, and the environment through advanced knowledge of fire behavior, prevention strategies, and emergency response systems. This multidisciplinary field integrates engineering principles, safety regulations, and real-world emergency preparedness to equip professionals with the expertise needed in public and private sector safety roles.
- Fire Dynamics and Combustion Science: Explores the physical and chemical processes involved in fire ignition, spread, and suppression, providing a foundational understanding of how fires behave under various conditions.
- Fire Protection System Design: Focuses on the planning, installation, and maintenance of systems such as sprinklers, alarms, and suppression technologies tailored to specific building types and hazards.
- Building Codes and Fire Safety Regulations: Examines national and local codes, including NFPA standards, to ensure structures meet legal and safety requirements for fire resistance and occupant egress.
- Emergency Response Planning: Develops strategies for coordinating fire suppression, evacuation, and crisis management during emergencies, emphasizing communication, logistics, and interagency collaboration.
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment: Teaches methodologies for evaluating potential fire risks in industrial, commercial, and residential environments to prioritize mitigation efforts effectively.
- Fire Investigation and Forensics: Trains students in analyzing fire scenes to determine origin, cause, and contributing factors, supporting legal, insurance, and safety improvement initiatives.
Fire Protection Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Fire Protection Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Fire Protection degrees, including First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers and Firefighters. 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 425,920 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers 33-1021 | $92,430 | $53,970 - $142,300 | 93,680 | $44.44 |
| Firefighters 33-2011 | $59,530 | $34,490 - $101,330 | 332,240 | $28.62 |
Fire Protection Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $42,260 in Mississippi to $112,655 in New Jersey—a 167% difference. The highest-paying states include New Jersey, New York, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 425,920 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 Protection by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 6 institutions offering Fire Protection 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 Protection is found at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) (20 graduates), California State University (CSUSM), San Marcos (18 graduates), California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo (11 graduates), University of Akron, Main Campus (8 graduates), and University of Alaska (UAA), Anchorage (7 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 70 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) |
Residency
|
20 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Public | nwtc.edu |
| California State University (CSUSM) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | San Marcos, California | Public | csusm.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Master's
|
11 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| University of Akron |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Akron, Ohio | Public | uakron.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Associate's
|
7 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Sussex County Community College (SCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
6 | Newton, New Jersey | Public | sussex.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Fire Protection programs
How much can I earn with a Fire Protection degree?
Salaries for Fire Protection graduates vary by role and location. First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers earn a median of $92,430 annually, while Firefighters earn around $59,530. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New Jersey average $112,655 compared to $42,260 in Mississippi. Approximately 425,920 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 Protection programs?
Currently 6 accredited institutions offer Fire Protection degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) (20 graduates), California State University (CSUSM), San Marcos (18 graduates), and California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo (11 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 Protection growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 168 in 2010 to a peak of 110 in 2020, before declining slightly to 70 in 2023-24. This represents a 58% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, 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 Protection degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers, Firefighters, . Related occupations employ approximately 425,920 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.
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