Fire Protection at Palm Beach State College

Lake Worth, FL · Public · Certificate

one of the larger campuses at 20,532 students in Lake Worth, FL.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $46,698/yr, roughly in line with the $51,103 national median for Fire Protection. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 239.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 35% 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 #11 ranking among 37 Fire Protection programs places Palm Beach State College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 48% earnings increase from $46,698 to $68,973 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.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
78
Score
79
High End
Earnings $46,698/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (66% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (150,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$753K
10.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
246.9x
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)
$3,050
Out-of-state: $10,910
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,973
48% 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 Palm Beach 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 Palm Beach State College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Palm Beach State College's Fire Protection program score?
A score of 78/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Palm Beach State College's Fire Protection graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Can I learn Fire Protection through an apprenticeship instead of Palm Beach State College?
Beyond Palm Beach State College's classroom route, 16 registered apprenticeships map to Fire Protection careers — including Arson And Bomb Investigator. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How sensitive is Fire Protection to AI disruption?
Our model shows a 35% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Fire Protection careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
How many job openings are there for Fire Protection graduates?
Job availability for Fire Protection is strong — 150,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Palm Beach State College graduates specifically, local market conditions in FL may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →