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In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Firefighters are trained to promote safety and respond quickly and efficiently to situations that may endanger citizens or their property. For example, they may respond to fires, motor vehicle accidents or hazardous goods spills. They provide medical aid, rescue services, and property and environmental loss control services.
When there is a fire, firefighters:
When there are other types of emergencies, firefighters:
Between emergencies, firefighters:
Firefighters in large centres work shifts with rotating days off. In smaller centres, they may work part time or be on call.
The work is physically demanding, sometimes dangerous and often involves short periods of intense physical labour. Firefighters often have to work at heights, in confined places and in very dark areas. They must wear heavy gear while working in environments that include smoke and extreme high or low temperatures. Like most jobs that involve emergency situations, the work also is emotionally demanding and stressful.
Lifting, pulling and carrying over 20 kilograms frequently is required during emergency situations.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Firefighters
2023 OaSIS: 42101.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Firefighters need:
They should enjoy working with tools, equipment and machinery, having clear rules and organized work methods, and educating people about fire prevention.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 12 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jul 01, 2022 and Oct 15, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Fire Fighting Experience: Industrial services | 11 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Maintain firefighting equipment | 10 |
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 10 |
| Construction Specialization: Organized | 10 |
| Tasks: Provide paramedical aid to accident victims or ill persons | 10 |
| Tasks: Co-ordinate the work of other firefighters | 10 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 10 |
| Tasks: Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance | 10 |
| Tasks: Administer first-aid and other assistance | 10 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 10 |
Requirements for employment as a firefighter vary from one fire department to another. For example, minimum education requirements range from Grade 10 to a high school diploma with specific courses in physics, math and chemistry. The candidate also may be required to be at least 18 years of age and have:
Depending on the fire department, firefighters may take a training course varying in length from 6 to 12 weeks after they are employed. The minimum mark required to pass the examination at the end of the course is 70%. Afterward, there is a probationary period (6 months to 1 year) of working in a fire station.
Competition for firefighter positions is keen, especially in large urban centres. The selection process includes aptitude tests, fitness tests, medical examinations, security and reference checks and personal interviews. Related experience or training is an asset.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Firefighters may be employed full time by city or industrial fire departments or part time in smaller centres.
Most of Alberta is served by volunteer on-call firefighters. Typically, recruitment is done by local jurisdictions. Free accredited training is usually given, in return for service and availability to the local community.
Firefighters who have the necessary experience, seniority and abilities may specialize in areas such as hazardous materials or technical rescues. They also may become apparatus operators, fire officers, training officers, public safety educators, fire inspectors, investigators or chief officers.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Firefighters
2016 NOC: 4312
87.4% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $26.08 | $59.60 | $37.10 | $29.33 |
| Overall | $21.09 | $59.60 | $46.20 | $45.50 |
| Top | $30.00 | $60.77 | $51.12 | $50.28 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $97,239 |
|---|---|
| Public Administration | $96,863 |
Alberta Firefighters Association website: albertafirefightersassociation.nationbuilder.com
Alberta Fire Chiefs Association website: afca.ca/
International Association of Firefighters website: www.iaff.org
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website: nfpa.org
University of Alberta, firefighter fitness testing website: www.ualberta.ca/kinesiology-sport-recreation/research/centres-and-units/firefighter-fitness-testing.html
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 02, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
