Fire Protection at Daytona State College

Daytona Beach, FL · Public · Certificate

serving 9,367 students in Daytona Beach, FL.

Program Analysis

Daytona State College's Fire Protection graduates start at $42,696/yr, trailing the $51,103 national average by 16%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 172.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Fire Protection career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #20 ranking among 37 Fire Protection programs places Daytona State College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 23% earnings increase from $42,696 to $52,443 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 16 apprenticeship pathways connected to Fire Protection reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

75 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
71
Low End
75
Score
77
High End
Earnings $42,696/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (66% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (150,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$544K
5.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
175.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$3,106
Out-of-state: $11,994
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,443
23% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Fire Protection graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers $92,430 +3.4% 58%
Fire inspectors and investigators $78,060 +3.8% 71%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
$92,430
+3.4% growth 58% AI-proof
Fire inspectors and investigators
$78,060
+3.8% growth 71% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Fire Protection Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Fire Protection — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Daytona State College and 36 other schools.

Read the full Fire Protection career guide →

Compare & Explore

Fire Protection Overview

Fire Protection at Other Schools

Other Majors at Daytona State College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Daytona State College's Fire Protection program score?
A score of 75/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Daytona State College trails the majority of Fire Protection programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Can you still earn well with Fire Protection from Daytona State College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Daytona State College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Fire Protection program at Daytona State College?
There are 16 registered apprenticeships connected to Fire Protection occupations, such as Arson And Bomb Investigator and Fire Apparatus Engineer. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Fire Protection workers?
Job availability for Fire Protection is strong — 150,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Daytona State College graduates specifically, local market conditions in FL may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →