How to Become a Firefighter in West Virginia (2026)

Q: How long does firefighter training take in West Virginia?

Most people become a Firefighter in West Virginia 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 West Virginia?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), firefighters in West Virginia earned a median annual wage of approximately $37,350. Employment concentration in West Virginia is roughly 0.58 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for firefighters in West Virginia?

West Virginia currently employs approximately 900 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

West Virginia firefighters earn a median annual wage of $37,350 ($17.96/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 900 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -37.0% below the national median of $59,280 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $37,350 ($17.96/hr)
25th percentile: $32,950 per year
75th percentile: $44,100 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $51,390 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $29,020 per year
Workers employed in West Virginia: 900
Versus national median: -37.0% below the U.S. median of $59,280
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.58 - this occupation is less concentrated in West Virginia than the national average

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

West Virginia employs about 900 firefighters earning a median $37,350 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.

West Virginia employs approximately 900 firefighters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $37,350 ¹. 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 West Virginia, 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 (West Virginia): $37,350 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Firefighter in West Virginia

How to become a Firefighter in West Virginia? 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 West Virginia? Yes. West Virginia typically registers this role through the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do firefighters earn in West Virginia? The median annual wage for firefighters in West Virginia is $37,350 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $29,020 and experienced professionals can earn $51,390 or more ¹.

How to Become a Firefighter in West Virginia

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 West Virginia

Firefighters in West Virginia 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 West Virginia

Firefighters Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria	7,610	$66,980	$70,910	$48,360	$98,770
Hagerstown-Martinsburg	230	$49,690	$56,140	$37,980	$79,070
Charleston	230	$38,780	$39,710	$29,650	$44,610
Huntington-Ashland	230	$36,060	$37,790	$27,340	$48,730
Wheeling	210	$41,140	$43,120	$29,020	$59,370
Weirton-Steubenville	110	$48,070	$46,810	$35,650	$60,590
Winchester	90	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Beckley	80	$41,770	$43,920	$32,040	$56,130

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 West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 900 firefighters ¹. Nationally, firefighter employment is projected to grow 3.4% from 2024 to 2034 ².

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

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

How much do firefighters earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for firefighters in West Virginia is $37,350, which is $22,180 below the national median of $59,530 according to BLS data ¹.

In West Virginia

Best Trade Schools in West Virginia (2026)

Explore More Trades in West Virginia

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)