Jobs Similar to Firefighters
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to firefighters, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Forest and Conservation Workers, Ambulance Drivers and Attendants and Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists.
Firefighters: $59,280 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Forest and Conservation Workers
77% similar · $43,680 (−26%) · High school
- 2Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
75% similar · $35,450 (−40%) · High school
- 3Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
74% similar · $56,870 (−4%) · Training or associate · Same group
- 4Aircraft Service Attendants
73% similar · $40,450 (−32%) · High school
- 5Subway and Streetcar Operators
73% similar · $86,380 (+46%) · High school
- 6Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
72% similar · $92,460 (+56%) · Training or associate
- 7Bridge and Lock Tenders
72% similar · $57,700 (−3%) · High school
- 8Motorboat Operators
72% similar · $47,520 (−20%) · High school
- 9Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
72% similar · $68,840 (+16%) · High school
- 10Bus Drivers, School
72% similar · $47,920 (−19%) · High school
- 11Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
71% similar · $37,290 (−37%) · High school
- 12Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
71% similar · $49,450 (−17%) · High school
- 13Light Truck Drivers
71% similar · $44,860 (−24%) · High school
- 14Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
71% similar · $33,580 (−43%) · High school
- 15Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
70% similar · $60,600 (+2%) · High school
- 16Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
69% similar · $36,840 (−38%) · Training or associate
- 17Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
69% similar · $59,050 (0%) · High school
- 18Hoist and Winch Operators
69% similar · $56,450 (−5%) · High school
- 19Locomotive Engineers
69% similar · $81,410 (+37%) · High school
- 20Highway Maintenance Workers
68% similar · $50,260 (−15%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than firefighters.
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for firefighters also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where firefighters is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Forest and Conservation Workers (81)
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers (81)
- Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians (75)
- Bridge and Lock Tenders (72)
- Bus Drivers, School (72)
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs (71)
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity (69)
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance (66)
- Paramedics (64)
- Tapers (64)
Questions about jobs like firefighters
What jobs are most similar to firefighters?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Forest and Conservation Workers (77% similar), Ambulance Drivers and Attendants (75% similar), Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists (74% similar), Aircraft Service Attendants (73% similar) and Subway and Streetcar Operators (73% similar).
Which jobs like firefighters pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels ($92,460, +56%; usually training or an associate degree), Subway and Streetcar Operators ($86,380, +46%; usually a high school diploma) and Locomotive Engineers ($81,410, +37%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with firefighters ($59,280). Without more preparation than firefighters usually need: Subway and Streetcar Operators, Locomotive Engineers and Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.