Fire Protection at Houston Community College

Houston, TX · Public · Certificate

one of the larger campuses at 37,970 students in Houston, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $39,283/yr fall 23% below the $51,103 national median for Fire Protection. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 261.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 34% task exposure — and the 24% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Fire Protection graduates.

At #21 out of 37 programs, Houston Community College's financial outcomes for Fire Protection trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $39,283 to $51,611 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 16 registered apprenticeships mapped to Fire Protection, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

75 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
70
Low End
75
Score
76
High End
Earnings $39,283/yr (-23% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (66% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (150,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$544K
7.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
266.8x
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)
$2,040
Out-of-state: $5,460
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,611
31% 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

What can you do with a Fire Protection credential from Houston Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Fire Protection career guide →

Compare & Explore

Fire Protection Overview

Fire Protection at Other Schools

Other Majors at Houston Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 75/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Fire Protection at Houston Community College?
A score of 75/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Houston Community College trails the majority of Fire Protection programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Is Houston Community College a good choice for Fire Protection despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Houston Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Are there apprenticeship options for Fire Protection?
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?
At 150,900 annual openings, Fire Protection has a very large employment base. Houston Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →