Firefighter Apprenticeship in Mississippi

Wages, programs & career outlook
MS Median Salary
$36,980/yr
-38% vs. national
National Median
$59,530/yr
MS Employment
2,630
Firefighters employed
MS Sponsors
213
Registered programs

Mississippi Wage Spread

Annual wages for Firefighters in Mississippi across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$27,070
25th %ile
$29,810
Median
$36,980
75th %ile
$45,010
90th %ile
$54,030

Firefighter Apprenticeship in Mississippi

Firefighters in Mississippi earn a median of $36,980/yr, below the $48,060 national average for all workers. Lower cost of living in Mississippi may offset the gap, but the numbers warrant scrutiny.

Firefighter wages in Mississippi ($36,980) lag the national median by 38%. The significant gap suggests either low demand, weak union presence, or a depressed local construction market.

Employment for Firefighters is projected to grow 3.4% through 2034, roughly in line with the overall economy. About 27,100 positions open annually through both growth and replacement.

Only 2,630 Firefighters work in Mississippi — 0.8% of the national total. The limited scale can mean fewer formal apprenticeship programs, pushing some candidates toward nearby states with larger trade economies.

The Firefighter apprenticeship uses a hybrid structure — part time-based, part competency-driven — spanning roughly 2 years. You can accelerate through sections where you demonstrate proficiency, particularly in emergency protocols, physical fitness standards, and certification exams.

The 213 registered sponsors in Mississippi provide functional apprenticeship coverage for most of the state's population centers. Trade unions and contractor groups account for the majority of placements.

The wage band for Firefighters in Mississippi is narrow: $27,070 to $54,030 at the extremes. The $26,960 range means compensation is relatively standardized, often set by union contracts or prevailing wage rates.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Mississippi

213 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Mississippi. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
MG Dyess Bassfield Jefferson Davis County
Batesville WIN Job Center Batesville
AB Southern, LLC Bay Springs
West Jasper School District Bay Springs
Bay St. Louis Waveland School District Bay St. Louis
Tupelo WIN Job Center Belden
Biloxi Public School District Biloxi
Broussard Mechanical Biloxi Harrison County
S & C Electric Services, LLC Biloxi
Westlake Chemical Booneville Prentiss County
Collins Home Care, LLC Brandon
Rankin County School District Brandon
Tino's Pet Grooming Brandon Rankin County
Brookhaven WIN Job Center Brookhaven
Corelle Brands, LLC Byhalia Marshall County
Marshall County WIN Job Center Byhalia
JACKSON ELECTRICIANS JATC Byram Hinds County
Carthage WIN Job Center Carthage
Sayle Propane LLC Charleston
Blue Vision, LLC Clarksdale Coahoma County
Clarksdale Public Utilities Clarksdale
Clarksdale WIN Job Center Clarksdale
Cleveland WIN Job Center Cleveland
Entergy Mississippi Clinton Hinds County
Covington County School District Collins
+ 5 more sponsors in Mississippi

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Firefighters earn in Mississippi?
Firefighters in Mississippi earn a median salary of $36,980/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $59,530 for the trade.
What is the length of a Firefighter apprenticeship program?
A typical Firefighter apprenticeship lasts approximately 2 years (4,000 hours of on-the-job training). The program combines paid work experience with related classroom instruction.
Is an apprenticeship better than trade school for Firefighters?
The key difference: apprenticeships pay you during training while trade schools charge tuition. Many employers prefer apprenticeship-trained Firefighters, but trade school can give you a head start on the classroom requirements.
Is there demand for Firefighters?
The BLS projects 3.4% employment growth for Firefighters through 2034 — steady demand. About 27100 positions open annually through both growth and retirements.
Where can I apply for a Firefighter apprenticeship in Mississippi?
Contact one of the 213 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Mississippi, or visit apprenticeship.gov to search for programs. Local union halls, community colleges, and state apprenticeship agencies are good starting points.
Do Firefighter apprentices get paid during training?
Yes. Apprentices earn wages from day one, typically starting at 40-60% of the journeyman rate (roughly $18,490/yr in Mississippi). Wages increase at regular intervals — usually every 6 months — as you progress through the program.

Firefighter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Mississippi

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