Fire Protection at Pima Community College

Tucson, AZ · Public · Certificate

enrolling 13,869 students in Tucson, AZ.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,059 place Pima Community College below the $51,103 national median for Fire Protection — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 250.1x 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 40% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #26 of 37 Fire Protection programs, Pima Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $57,663 show a 64% jump from the $35,059 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
72
Score
74
High End
Earnings $35,059/yr (-31% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (66% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (150,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$615K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
259.6x
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)
$2,370
Out-of-state: $7,686
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,663
64% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Fire Protection careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering criminal justice & public safety.

Read the full Fire Protection career guide →

Compare & Explore

Fire Protection Overview

Fire Protection at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pima Community 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 Pima Community College's Fire Protection program score?
This program scores 72/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Fire Protection programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Why are Fire Protection earnings lower at Pima Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Pima Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
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.
How could AI change the job market for Fire Protection graduates?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Fire Protection are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
How many job openings are there for Fire Protection graduates?
The career paths mapped to Fire Protection have roughly 150,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →