As of June 2026, Firefighters has an AI-exposure score of 44/100 (Moderate exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Firefighters
More exposed than 18% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$59,280. About 27,100 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
How you compare to similar Protective Service roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (80%).
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
- Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents.
- Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
- Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
- Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences.
- Protect property from water and smoke, using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.
- Participate in physical training activities to maintain a high level of physical fitness.
- Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.
- Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires.
- Patrol burned areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that may restart fires.
- Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
- Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
- Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.
- Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.
- Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
- Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.
- Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
- Collaborate with other firefighters as a member of a firefighting crew.
- Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.
- Collaborate with police to respond to accidents, disasters, and arson investigation calls.
Safer adjacent roles
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Firefighters — median pay by US state (BLS OEWS, USD)
Median annual wage, in USD. US national: US$59,280. More states are being added.