How to Become a Firefighter in Illinois (2026)

Q: How long does firefighter training take in Illinois?

Most people become a Firefighter in Illinois through a fire academy, Firefighter I/II, and often EMT; this is not a generic statewide firefighter license board path.

Q: How much do firefighters earn in Illinois?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), firefighters in Illinois earned a median annual wage of approximately $78,380. Employment concentration in Illinois is about 1.36 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for firefighters in Illinois?

Illinois currently employs approximately 18,400 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.4% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Illinois firefighters earn a median annual wage of $78,380 ($37.68/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 18,400 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 32.2% above the national median of $59,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $78,380 ($37.68/hr)
25th percentile: $47,910 per year
75th percentile: $103,530 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $106,060 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $38,900 per year
Workers employed in Illinois: 18,400
Versus national median: 32.2% above the U.S. median of $59,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.36 - this occupation is more concentrated in Illinois than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Illinois employs about 18,400 firefighters earning a median $78,380 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Firefighter here means completing a fire academy, Firefighter I/II, and often EMT; this is not a generic statewide firefighter license board path. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

Illinois employs approximately 18,400 firefighters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $78,380 ¹. The state’s concentration of firefighter jobs is 1.36x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, firefighter employment is projected to grow 3.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 27,100 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Firefighter in Illinois, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: fire academy (find programs)
Typical timeline: a fire academy, Firefighter I/II, and often EMT; this is not a generic statewide firefighter license board path
Exam: Firefighter I/II and often EMT/NREMT
Median wage (Illinois): $78,380 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Firefighter in Illinois

How to become a Firefighter in Illinois? Complete a fire academy, Firefighter I/II, and often EMT; this is not a generic statewide firefighter license board path. Apply through the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a fire academy, Firefighter I/II, and often EMT; this is not a generic statewide firefighter license board path. Confirm current hour totals with the program and the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Illinois? Yes. Illinois typically registers this role through the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do firefighters earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for firefighters in Illinois is $78,380 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,900 and experienced professionals can earn $106,060 or more ¹.

How to Become a Firefighter in Illinois

Meet academy entry rules. Academies typically require a high school diploma or GED, a physical ability test, and a background check. Many departments require or prefer EMT.
Complete a fire academy. Finish Firefighter I/II training through a fire academy or department. IAFF apprenticeships exist in some cities; they are not the default statewide path.
Earn EMT when the department requires it. Many departments require a current EMT. That is a separate EMS credential.
Apply to departments. Hiring is by fire department, not a generic statewide firefighter license. Confirm local civil-service rules.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Firefighter License Requirements in Illinois

Firefighters in Illinois typically complete an academy and Firefighter I/II, often with EMT. Do not treat a generic occupational license table as the path.

Typical path

Meet academy entry rules.
Complete Firefighter I/II.
Earn EMT if the department requires it.
Apply to fire departments.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Firefighter Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

Firefighters Wages by Metro Area in Illinois

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), firefighters wages in Illinois vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin	14,560	$82,820	$80,110	$42,080	$112,930
St. Louis	2,680	$68,970	$67,280	$39,220	$102,010
Peoria	490	$73,670	$72,600	$36,150	$102,960
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	410	$60,080	$62,090	$38,340	$94,410
Rockford	410	$77,150	$66,870	$34,430	$88,910
Champaign-Urbana	340	$62,190	$64,720	$35,010	$90,900
Springfield	240	$65,330	$63,810	$35,830	$94,850
Bloomington	170	$69,270	$63,070	$31,200	$77,570
Decatur	120	$62,430	$61,750	$40,930	$73,400
Kankakee	120	$59,850	$62,900	$34,730	$95,390
Paducah	100	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for firefighters in Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 18,400 firefighters ¹. Nationally, firefighter employment is projected to grow 3.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a firefighter in Illinois with an out-of-state license? Contact the program and employer for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Illinois.

How much do firefighters earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for firefighters in Illinois is $78,380, which is $18,850 above the national median of $59,530 according to BLS data ¹.

In Illinois

Illinois Trade Schools 2026: Programs, Costs, Licensing

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)