Firefighter Apprenticeship in New Mexico

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.

NM Median Salary
$42,920/yr
-28% vs. national
National Median
$59,530/yr
NM Employment
2,200
Firefighters employed
NM 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 New Mexico: Quick Facts

What apprenticeship means here

A registered firefighter apprenticeship in New Mexico 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.

New Mexico pay vs. national

Median firefighter wages in New Mexico are $42,920/year, -28% below the national median of $59,530. Wages scale with experience — journey-level workers earn substantially more than apprentices.

Where to find programs

New Mexico 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 — New Mexico-specific outlook can vary from national figures.

New Mexico Wage Spread

Annual wages for Firefighters in New Mexico across all experience levels.

10th pct
$31,200
Median
$42,920
90th pct
$59,580
Middle 50% of workers earn $36,620$47,520

Current Firefighter Apprenticeship Openings in New Mexico

No firefighter apprenticeship openings are currently listed on apprenticeship.gov for New Mexico. 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 New Mexico

Our directory doesn't surface Firefighter-specific registered sponsors in New Mexico. 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 NM for the most relevant results.

Firefighter Apprenticeship in New Mexico

Our directory doesn't list Firefighter-specific sponsors in New Mexico. This typically reflects a smaller regional market where sponsors operate under generic company names rather than trade-specific branding. Nearby states often accept out-of-state apprentices — and apprenticeship.gov can identify current openings by occupation code and ZIP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Firefighter salary in New Mexico?
Firefighters in New Mexico earn a median salary of $42,920/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $59,530 for the trade.
How long is a Firefighter apprenticeship?
Most Firefighter apprenticeships run 2 years. Apprentices work under a journeyman while attending classes, typically earning wages from day one with scheduled increases.
What's the difference between a Firefighter apprenticeship and 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 New Mexico?
Our directory doesn't surface Firefighter-specific registered sponsors in New Mexico — 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 $21,460/yr in New Mexico). 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 New Mexico-based programs to compare locally — see the national list and filter.

Firefighter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in New Mexico

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