Firefighter Apprenticeship in District of Columbia

Wages, programs & career outlook

Firefighters respond to fires, medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, and hazardous material calls. Most work 24- or 48-hour shifts out of a station, alternating between active calls, equipment maintenance, training drills, and public education.

DC Median Salary
$79,430/yr
+33% vs. national
National Median
$59,530/yr
DC Employment
1,430
Firefighters employed
DC Sponsors
0
Registered programs
Training Term
2.0 yrs
Hybrid
Job Growth
3.4%
2024–2034 projected
Annual Openings
27,100
Nationally, per yr

Firefighter Apprenticeship in District of Columbia: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered firefighter apprenticeship in District of Columbia combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Programs typically run 2.0 years and follow a hybrid structure. You earn wages from day one — apprentices are employees, not students.

District of Columbia pay vs. national

Median firefighter wages in District of Columbia are $79,430/year, +33% above the national median of $59,530. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

District of Columbia has 0 registered apprenticeship sponsors for firefighter listed in the U.S. Department of Labor's apprenticeship.gov directory. The sponsor list further down includes joint labor-management programs (JATCs), individual employers, and contractor associations.

Job-market outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.4% job growth for firefighters nationally between 2024 and 2034, with approximately 27,100 annual openings each year (replacement plus growth combined). Apprenticeship demand tends to track local construction and infrastructure spending — District of Columbia-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

District of Columbia Wage Spread

Annual wages for Firefighters in District of Columbia across all experience levels.

10th pct
$61,050
Median
$79,430
90th pct
$99,760
Middle 50% of workers earn $66,980$92,460

Current Firefighter Apprenticeship Openings in District of Columbia

No firefighter apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for District of Columbia. That doesn't mean programs don't exist — smaller regional contractors often aren't included in the national directory. Consider setting up an alert on apprenticeship.gov to be notified when new listings are posted.

Listings aggregated from apprenticeship.gov (US Dept. of Labor). Data refreshed daily.

Firefighter Apprenticeship Sponsors in District of Columbia

Our directory doesn't surface Firefighter-specific registered sponsors in District of Columbia. This usually reflects a smaller regional market where sponsors use generic company names rather than trade-specific branding — it doesn't mean programs don't exist. Direct search on apprenticeship.gov is the most reliable way to find current openings.

Search apprenticeship.gov for current Firefighter openings

Filter by occupation code 33-2011 and state DC for the most relevant results.

Firefighter Apprenticeship in District of Columbia

Firefighter apprenticeship opportunities in District of Columbia are best found through direct outreach: contact the relevant national union's closest local chapter, search apprenticeship.gov for current programs, or reach out to your state apprenticeship agency. Our directory reflects what sponsors self-identify by name, which can understate coverage in smaller markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Firefighters earn in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage for Firefighters in District of Columbia is $79,430 as of May 2024. Wages range from $61,050 at the 10th percentile to $99,760 at the 90th percentile.
How long is a Firefighter apprenticeship?
The standard Firefighter apprenticeship is 2 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom education. Some programs offer accelerated paths for candidates with prior experience.
Should I do a Firefighter apprenticeship or go to trade school?
Apprenticeships offer paid training with no tuition, while trade school requires upfront costs but may be shorter. Many Firefighters combine both — starting with trade school basics before entering an apprenticeship.
How do I find a Firefighter apprenticeship in District of Columbia?
Our directory doesn't surface Firefighter-specific registered sponsors in District of Columbia — typical for smaller markets where sponsors use generic company names. Best path: (1) search apprenticeship.gov by occupation and ZIP for current openings, (2) contact the relevant national union's closest local (find locals via apprenticeship.gov), or (3) reach out to your state apprenticeship agency directly.
How much do Firefighter apprentices earn?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40–60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $39,715/yr in District of Columbia). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Prefer Trade School Instead?

Apprenticeships pay from day one, but the classroom-first path may fit better for some. Firefighters also train through trade school programs — shorter timeline, more upfront cost.

Compare 36 Fire Protection programs nationwide →
Too few District of Columbia-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Firefighter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in District of Columbia

Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024, DOL RAPIDS Registered Apprenticeship database, ApprenticeshipUSA Sponsor Directory.