Fire Protection at Hillsborough Community College

Tampa, FL · Public · Certificate

enrolling 19,998 students in Tampa, FL.

Program Analysis

At $50,331/yr, Fire Protection graduates from Hillsborough Community College land near the $51,103 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 281.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Fire Protection programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Fire Protection's career paths, with 34% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 27% gap from the optimistic case.

At #6 of 37 nationally, this is a top-5% Fire Protection program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $50,331 to $68,028 over five years — a 35% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Fire Protection offers 16 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

79 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
75
Low End
79
Score
81
High End
Earnings $50,331/yr (-2% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (66% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (150,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$723K
7.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
288.5x
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)
$2,506
Out-of-state: $9,111
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,028
35% 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

Explore what Fire Protection graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 37 programs nationwide.

Read the full Fire Protection career guide →

Compare & Explore

Fire Protection Overview

Fire Protection at Other Schools

Other Majors at Hillsborough Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 79/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Fire Protection at Hillsborough Community College?
This program scores 79/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Fire Protection nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Is Hillsborough Community College one of the best schools for Fire Protection?
The #6 ranking out of 37 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Fire Protection graduates?
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?
The very large job market (150,900 annual openings) works in favor of Fire Protection graduates. The national outlook is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →