Firefighter Apprenticeship in Ohio

Wages, programs & career outlook
OH Median Salary
$59,470/yr
-0% vs. national
National Median
$59,530/yr
OH Employment
18,750
Firefighters employed
OH Sponsors
805
Registered programs

Ohio Wage Spread

Annual wages for Firefighters in Ohio across all experience levels.

10th %ile
$35,420
25th %ile
$43,850
Median
$59,470
75th %ile
$74,180
90th %ile
$87,160

Firefighter Apprenticeship in Ohio

The median Firefighter in Ohio earns $59,470 annually, outpacing the national all-occupation median by 24%. The trade offers a reliable path to financial stability in the state.

Wages for Firefighters in Ohio ($59,470/yr) track close to the $59,530 national median — within 0% either way. The state sits squarely in the middle of the pack.

The employment outlook is solid if unspectacular: 3.4% growth projected through 2034 for Firefighters. What matters more than the growth rate is the 27,100 annual openings — mostly from retirements — that keep demand steady.

Ohio employs 18,750 Firefighters, accounting for 5.7% of the national workforce — a mid-sized market with enough employer density to support active apprenticeship placement.

Unlike pure time-based trades, Firefighter apprenticeships blend scheduled hours with competency checkpoints. The 2-year timeline can compress if you master emergency protocols, physical fitness standards, and certification exams faster than the standard pace.

Ohio's 805 registered apprenticeship sponsors create one of the more competitive markets for program placement. Candidates should apply to multiple programs, as the most popular ones fill quickly.

Apprentices entering the Firefighter trade in Ohio start near the $35,420 floor but have a clear path to $87,160 — a $51,740 arc that reflects how the trade values experience and skill accumulation.

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors in Ohio

805 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Ohio. Contact directly for program availability and application details.

Organization City County
AKRON FIRE DEPT. TRAINING DEPT. Akron Summit County
Akron Area Electrical JATC Akron Summit County
Community Drug Board, Inc. Akron
ELECTRICIANS JATC, AKRON Akron Summit County
IBH Addiction Recovery Akron
Landi Industries Akron
OhioMeansJobs Summit County Akron
Oriana House, Inc, Akron Summit County
Oriana House, Inc. Akron
PLUMBERS, STEAMFITTERS & MES JATC, AKRON Akron Summit County
Summit/Medina Workforce Development Board Akron
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON Akron Summit County
Urban Ounce of Prevention Behavioral Health Services, Inc. Akron
WHITACRE GREER COMPANY Alliance Mahoning County
NORTHERN OHIO ADMIN DISTRICT CO OF BRICKLAYERS Amherst Lorain County
ORRSON CUSTOM FARMING LTD. Apple Creek
Northwest State Community College Archbold Fulton County
Sauder Manufacturing Co. Archbold
BCU Electric, Inc. Ashland
OhioMeansJobs Ashland County Ashland
INEOS KOH Ashtabula Ashtabula County
INEOS PIGMENTS PLANT 1 Ashtabula Ashtabula County
OhioMeansJobs - Ashtabula County Ashtabula
AREA 14 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD Athens Athens County
Athens Mold and Machine Athens
+ 5 more sponsors in Ohio

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Firefighters make in Ohio?
Firefighters in Ohio earn a median salary of $59,470/yr according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). This is below the national median of $59,530 for the trade.
How many years does it take to become a Firefighter through apprenticeship?
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.
Are Firefighter jobs growing?
Demand for Firefighters is steady, with 3.4% projected growth through 2034. An aging workforce creates replacement openings even in slower-growth scenarios.
Where can I apply for a Firefighter apprenticeship in Ohio?
There are 805 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Ohio. Start with your local IBEW, UA, or trade union office. You can also check apprenticeship.gov for listings and contact sponsors directly.
Do Firefighter apprentices get paid during training?
Apprentices are paid employees from the start. In Ohio, a first-year Firefighter apprentice might earn around $29,735/yr (roughly half the $59,470 journeyman median), with scheduled raises throughout the 2-year program.

Firefighter in Other States

Other Apprenticeships in Ohio

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