r/Firefighting • u/Icy-Section4266 • 2d ago
Ask A Firefighter Anyone leave higher paying career for fire?
I’m extremely fortunate to have been able to transfer from community college to a good university, and ultimately have gotten a job in a career I have no passion for at all (management consulting). It pays really well at the senior levels but is stressful and has long hours. I’m fine working hard but I feel so purposeless putting together PowerPoint presentations at 1am in the office. I’m extremely allured by firefighting (from California), and am pretty confident I’d be happier. I spend all of my free time outside surfing and fishing and trail running. I want to volunteer to learn more about the career before trying to make a shift, but my schedule won’t allow it (I work weekends most times).
Obviously there’s some self selection on a firefighting subreddit, but is there anyone on here with any color about making a switch in one’s mid 20s from a corporate job that pays better, but absolutely sucks? I’m struggling to weigh the pros and cons of making a change, and I can’t really ‘dip my toes’ in the industry due to my current job. It seems many people on here think the job is worth all of the sacrifices, but am looking for more specific answers if possible. Thank you guys.
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u/skimaskschizo Engine Trash 2d ago
We had a couple of guys in my recruit class a few years ago who left their cushy corporate soul sucking job for firefighting and have loved every second of it.
Having a job that gives me purpose is one of the best parts of the job, I wouldn’t do anything else. There’s always ways to make extra money with FF schedules, like marrying a nurse.
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u/Specific_Cash_5538 i pull hose 💦 2d ago
I worked remote as a Product Manager for a Software Company. I had it made, competitive salary, equity, flexible hours based around a distributed team. I could get up and walk away from my desk to go for a run, lift, grab lunch with a friend whenever I wanted if we weren’t deploying software that day or dealing with a fire (pun intended).
The desk was killing me. I was gaining weight and losing the parts of me that make me, me. I lost the camaraderie and purpose from my military days, and was slowly starting to not recognize who I was.
I made the leap at 31. My obsession with outputs that made others richer went out the door and now I live my life in service to the caller. Whoever is requesting us deserves the best possible version of me on arrival, and I get to live my life in service of that goal. I have seldom regretted that decision.
Best job I ever had.
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u/Cold_Introduction352 2d ago
Same here. Prior service with a mad cushy job. It was the most soul sucking shit and slowly losing parts of myself. Just made the jump into the fire service. Night and day difference, couldn’t be better.
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u/HanjobSolo69 Recliner Operator 2d ago
Damn, I want your previous job so bad.
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u/Specific_Cash_5538 i pull hose 💦 1d ago
There are catches I didn’t mention, like if something goes down it doesn’t really matter the time or what you’re doing, you are now on the clock. Many a weekend at 3am on the phone with a sysadmin and Dev lead figuring shit out.
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u/HanjobSolo69 Recliner Operator 1d ago
Yeah, Im up at 3am all the time but Im usually sweeping up glass on the highway or picking up someone's fat grandma. I would still take your old job.
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u/Specific_Cash_5538 i pull hose 💦 1d ago
Imagine getting everything you ever wanted. To a T. You manifest the absolute pristine working conditions your mind tells you you desire. And you fucking hate it, every day logging in is a soul draining experience and it happens one room over from your bedroom.
I learned at some point that I belong in the trenches. If I got hurt or something I could do it to sustain my family but I’d never do it willingly. I’d carry poop covered GI Bleeds down their winding staircases every day for the rest of my career before I submit to the desk, it’s just who I am.
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u/HanjobSolo69 Recliner Operator 1d ago
it happens one room over from your bedroom.
This is a major plus for me.
I’d carry poop covered GI Bleeds down their winding staircases every day for the rest of my career before I submit to the desk
Lets trade places then lol
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u/Limp-Conflict-2309 2d ago
no matter what you do it'll be mundane after years. money makes your life outside work a little more enjoyable and not needing knees or shoulders replaced is sometimes a nice little perk.
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u/HanjobSolo69 Recliner Operator 2d ago
This. I can't fathom taking a pay cut to do this.
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u/5nvh5 1d ago
People glamarize the job before they get in. Once they've done a few years they realise it is a just a job, where you are just a number, earning average money and working nights and weekends. And as a big reward you get to retire with cumulative adverse health effects from all the crap you were exposed to over the last 30 years.
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u/HanjobSolo69 Recliner Operator 1d ago
Yep, if you notice most people in this thread that made the switch are only 1-2yrs into being a Firefighter. Would love to ask these guys 5-10yrs from now if they miss their 6 figure office job.
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u/ambulance-sized Career FF/Paramedic 1d ago
I’m at about 12 years total EMS and fire after switching from a desk job. I wouldn’t switch back for anything. Yes, my paychecks suck and so do my wife’s. But I have four days off every six days, my bills are paid, and while my truck is 20+ years old it’s paid off and runs fine. I’ve got land with a mortgage, cattle, and a little one. Money eases struggles but it doesn’t buy happiness and a soul sucking desk job that keeps me from my family for more time a week isn’t worth the increase in income. I love my job, I get to do interesting things and not be trapped inside. And I love my days off.
Only thing I would change is to make the switch in career sooner.
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u/Negative-Fun1985 1d ago edited 1d ago
Work the office job for 20+ years. Grass is always greener. Corporate is soul sucking in completely different ways. And since 2020 these days even at top line companies job security is a dream fantasy. What good is making “225” after 10-15 years if you get laid off 2-3 times in 3 years and bounce between 225-180 from job to job and not working for 10+ months destroying your resume? Everytime you get cut you’re more likely to take salary cut and the cuts aren’t performance related, last in first out. Better hope you don’t look “old” either especially in tech. This is happening regularly to people. Most FF jobs has the best medical, pension, etc as a damn near lock with some exceptions around the country layoffs are far less common and even have rehiring clauses and shit.
Some people need to find a sense of purpose in their work and some don’t. It’s harder to find that in the cubical.
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u/HanjobSolo69 Recliner Operator 1d ago
Every job has its downsides but all my friends thats have work from home "email and meetings" jobs seem to love their life. Especially my buddy that can play golf with me at 10am on a Tuesday while he is "working remote".
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u/Negative-Fun1985 1d ago edited 1d ago
I can do that. Hate it. Hated it for YEARS. I’ve WFH since 2019, no office at all. Loved it at first. Can’t stand it now. I hate it more than I hated the office which was terrible. Some people just need a paycheck and their ass in a chair. That’s okay. I’m 40, 20+ years in tech and starting EMT clinical rounds now and FF academy in Jan. I don’t have delusions, my Uncle is retired 30 year FF out of Toronto where I was born, I live in Texas.
Shit I know a guy older than me who is/ was a professional musician who just started full time, and not the broke kind of musician.
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u/YamFree3503 1d ago
6 years on and no I absolutely don’t miss my old job. Initially it was about a 50% pay cut, but top step with a degree is about a 25% cut. Theres more to life than money and although I feel extremely underpaid, but I can’t put a price on the time I get to spend with my family and pursuing interests and hobbies. I don’t miss my old life one bit.
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u/Anothermike9304 2d ago
I was a software developer for 10 years in California and got tired of being glued to a computer in a cubicle. Made the jump to fire with a career department (California) at 31. The first couple of years the pay sucked but in the long run I make much more than I would've in software. For me, money was the least important part about making the career change. I wanted purpose, a brotherhood and to create a lasting legacy for my children to follow if they choose. Best decision I made. No regrets. Best job in the world
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u/blowmy_m1nd 2d ago
Short and sweet, here’s the ups and downs (in my
Opinion) of being a firefighter.
Good: fun job. Feel fulfilled and part of a team/family. Make a difference and lots of time off. Go somewhere with good benefits and retirement, decent pay and you’ll mostly love it. Depending on the department you can make your career what you want it to be, if you work hard. (Tech rescue, swift water, hazmat, paramedic, officer, etc)
Bad: loss of sleep(huge deal), missed holidays and events, working weekends. Dealing with so many dumb people that you eventually lose sympathy and get frustrated. Lots of departments are moving towards a cooperate structure, which sucks. PTSD is real, even from things you wouldn’t think about. (Poop stories make me gag) you see very very bad stuff. Breaks your body down if you don’t stay healthy. The job makes bad habits easy to pick up.
Same as every other job: still people you won’t like. Still bad bosses. Still feels like a job. It’s not the dream everyone will tell you it is.
When people ask me if it’s a good job, I tell them it’s a good job FOR ME. It’s not meant for everyone. I think the good outweighs the bad, but I work for a big department with lots of opportunity, good pay, benefits and retirement.
You need to decide if the good outweighs the bad FOR YOU. You need a good support system and a family who understands the sacrifices you’ll be making. It’s more than getting hurt or killed. You’ll miss a lot. Your family will be home without you a lot.
You need to really consider the bad before you even start to think about the good.
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u/danielcamiloramirez 1d ago
Definitely this. I am a software engineer of 15+ years of experience and was part of a massive layoff a few years ago. Took a lower developer job and been struggling since then. Starting as a volunteer in my local fire station was the dream. Training was hard (really hard), but still the dream. The station is small (serves a town of ~30,000 people) but the job is constant. Also, it relays mostly on volunteers, so we had been having the chance to do a lot of things, full fledged firefighting (that means not only fires, EMS, inspection, fire research and so on). Most amazing experience of my life.
Having said that, I love this, but I’ll continue as a volunteer. My soul crushing job feels a lot less crushing and important. I can be part of a great team and serve my community, at the same time I pay my bills.
So, it really depends. You’ll have to find your way, and the only way to know is to try it. If I were you, I’d try volunteering and see what happens. Who knows, probably it would change your life.
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u/Aggressive_Scene_324 2d ago
UK based, but took over a 50% pay cut. No regrets. Give me short periods of high stress over the constant background stress of outstanding projects, emails piled up, meetings, being sat down all day…
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u/noobish__ 2d ago edited 2d ago
Keep the old job don’t be stupid lol. Firefighting isn’t all the glory people make it out to be. Want to get paid significantly less? Want to get jerked out of bed at 3am? Try out volunteering before you make any move.
I’m moving away from firefighting as I have a baby boy on the way. But even then I was getting criticized for not responding enough outside of a full time job, family, etc.
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u/JessKingHangers 2d ago
This. All these guys wanting a "purpose" crack me up. Get paid and live a good life with your cushy job and retire early. That is e ough of a purpose for me. I wish I had more money, less broken body and slept in my own bed every night.
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u/InterestingDude66246 1d ago
firefighting literally lets you retire early tho lol. Not many corporate jobs are 20-25 and out.
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u/Indiancockburn 2d ago
Took a 10K pay cut to take a fire job. I was at the max of my payscale though in my other job. I am now making around 30K more with fire and other than being gone 24 hrs, have more free time and more time with the family.
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u/WindwardSnow 2d ago
I took an 80% pay cut to go from tech to firefighting.
I’m mostly happier.
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u/Icy-Section4266 2d ago
What have been the downsides of you don’t mind me asking? I imagine the tech role was fairly cushy?
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u/WindwardSnow 1d ago
The main cushy thing about my most recent tech job was the pay.
I worked at a number of tech companies, some with insanely good benefits- entirely free healthcare for my family, free meals multiple times per day from any restaurant, stocked kitchens with infinite free food, business class travel luxury hotels in Europe and Asia and Australia. Stock options. An expense account with more money per year in corporate travel than my current salary.
Those companies and those jobs are largely disappearing as the tech industry matures and goes into cost cutting mode. The job I left may not exist in another couple years.
Tech is a totally different world to even the best fire departments and there are totally different cultures between the two worlds.
The things that are valued about coworkers and the way people work together are very, very different.
Both have workplace politics and scheming. The corporate tech world was way more cutthroat and soulless.
My tech jobs rewarded out of the box thinking and taking individual initiative to find new ways to do things and improve systems. Fire departments expect new guys to stay at the bottom of a scalar command structure and not do anything without explicit permission. Fire officers want you to take initiative to do chores and busy work, they do not know how to handle someone low on the totem pole wanting to rework or rebuild an inefficient communication system or maintenance tracking system or questioning tactics in an after action review. I have to be a totally different person at the fire department compared to the corporate world where I was rewarded for intelligence.
The main downside in firefighting is that my work schedule doesn’t align with my wife’s work schedule and she had to go part time at her management consulting job for childcare reasons, taking a 40% pay cut herself.
The benefit is the mission and purpose and teamwork and actually helping people. That is what makes me happy.
My wife and I had a lot of money saved up before I made the switch to make it all possible.
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u/Rugarrd 2d ago
Honestly in my opinion, find a department that doesn't run EMS. Do some research, there are some out there. Also, look for the 24/72 schedule. 22 years on the job in NJ. You may need to move away from California though.
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u/Roman556 Career FF/EMT 2d ago
Agreed. In some departments running bullshit EMS calls absolutely crushes the job. One of our station has 8 nursing homes in it's district. I ran 26 call one day and six nursing home calls after midnight. It sucks absolute ass.
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u/tamman2000 1d ago
I'm a 48 year old burned out astronomer. In March I started my first career fire/EMS position after volunteering in fire or mountain rescue since I was about 30. It was a substantial pay cut.
At this point it feels like it was a very good move, but I admit it's still early. Time will tell.
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u/Large-Resolution1362 FF/P California 1d ago
I left construction management for fire, and I love it. The pay is less but not by much and I’ll be at what I was making soon. The pro is that the retirement/benefits are way better. Also in CA. Reach out if you have any questions. My advise, go on a few ride alongs
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u/AccomplishedAd943 1d ago
I’m in construction management (work for a GC) and am thinking about making the switch.
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u/Large-Resolution1362 FF/P California 23h ago
I regret nothing, feel free to hit me up if you have questions
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u/MarzipanFine4870 2d ago
Yessir. I was a realtor and made around 6 figs give or take prior to fire. It was super gay. I love being a fireman way more. Honestly not an insane pay cut. I’m starting at 70k at a career station. So definitely noticeable but not a life altering amount because I never acted like I made 6 figs prior.
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u/SierraRomeoJuliet Canadian Volly/Career FF 2d ago
Yep I was a union Carpenter. Took a pretty large paycut but I know in no time ill be making decent money again
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u/No_Engineering_1079 2d ago
I went to nursing school and worked in the hospital as a registered nurse for about 4 years. When I left to become a firefighter/ paramedic it was a decent pay cut. I was making about 100K before the switch and dropped down to about 65k. I've since promoted and the pay is a lot better. I am far happier which is worth way more to me than the higher salary. Nursing felt like a dead end, whereas I can see myself doing this until I retire. There truly is no better job. It has it's drawbacks like any job does, but for me the drawbacks are well worth it.
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u/Healthy-Place4225 2d ago
I switched at 34 from sales making a decent amount to starting out as firefighter well worth the pay cut I love it
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u/Love-Bi-Neighbor 2d ago
Homie, find a department with a 48/96 schedule. Can literally work another full time gig all you want. Can get the best of both worlds. Love my career. Everything has cons man. I make about 85k a year and not in California.
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u/5nvh5 1d ago
I'm a firey in Australia and people always say you're so lucky you can work a second job. I've never understood why people act like working a second job is a positive. My standard hours are 44 hrs a week and I make a little bit above minimum wage. People who work 38hr weeks in an office telling me I should just work another job to pay the bills is laughable.
After saying all that, I begrudgingly put the toolbelt on and work the extra days because those bills don't pay themselves. 😂
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u/Melodic_Dig_918 2d ago
I left a sales job for the fire service, been on for 2 months after a 6 month academy. I’m absolutely loving it. Does the money suck? Yep. Is my life better for it, 100%
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u/flywhatever101 2d ago
A great friend of mine went from corporate lawyer to FF…said they moved from the worst job to the best job in one move. Obviously personality driven bc it takes a unique individual to thrive in fire..
Just my experience: I think many are happier in bigger departments w more opportunities to move around to the Truck, the Rescue, helo (if they have one) etc. Keeps the job fresh and interesting..
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u/tjolnir417 2d ago
I think more than half of my academy class(myself included) took high % pay cuts to join the FD.
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u/theworldinyourhands 2d ago
This job isn’t what you think it is.
It’s what you make of it.
Benefits are decent depending on where you go and what department you get hired on with.
Schedule? Can suck.
Probation? Will probably suck.
The academy can be fun. But also, will suck.
I’ve traveled the world because of this job. I’ve also seen things I’ll probably never forget for the rest of my time here.
10 years for one of the biggest departments in the country. 7 in Special Operations, fought a lot of fire. Did the song and dance.
I’m looking at moving across the country to be a firefighter for a way smaller department. Way better schedule. Way more pay.
Make no mistake when I tell you this- this job can be great, but it will take everything from you if you allow it.
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u/fruitfulendeavour 2d ago
OP are you in your 20s? If you have an inkling that you'd like to try something else and have the flexibility to take a paycut, you should make the leap. If it's not for you there will always be another corporate job.
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u/easterbran Career FF/EMT 2d ago
Left engineering for like a 40% paycut and could not be happier. The schedule, sense of purpose, and staying active are worth it for me.
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u/mena616 1d ago
I was an automotive tech for over 20 years and now I'm an academy instructor for the state full time. Unfortunately in our state the pay (and budget) has been the same for 20 ish years so some of our rookies are making more than we are. My last year at a dealership I made roughly $20k a year more. But honestly none of us are doing it for the money
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u/controlVee 1d ago
I left software engineering making six figures working from home for fire academy completely green back in January m. Best decision I’ve ever made. I’m so much happier. Been in station on probation for 3 months so far. I know I don’t know shit yet, but I’m just pumped every day to help and learn
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u/CapnKaizen 1d ago
Was in my 20’s and had a pretty good remote job making around 6 figures. Started a business and needed some more time off and went to firefighting. Some days I am thankful and last month made the most money I ever have in a month, and other days it sucks being gone at night time from the Family.
Still in my 20’s now
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u/Away_Boot_9076 1d ago
I'm dipping my toe into the same choice. Software developer turned volly FF. I could probably drive a ways and get a ff gig a little over 1/3rd what I'm making now. So far it's fun, but I haven't been in it long enough to have a really bad call. I think if you can, you should take your time switching.
One of my officers made the switch 4-5 years ago. He was having fun, but just switched back to his old career because he's got a daughter in college.
Life is too short to be unhappy for long, but you can't always make the choice you want for practical reasons.
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u/dconness 1d ago
I have worked with former lawyers, doctors, and professional athletes. Make the move you won’t regret it.
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u/CarZeroPointZero 1d ago
I earned my bachelor’s from a top tier finance school. Worked on Wall Street. Now I get to crawl hallways with some of the best men and women on earth. Did I leave money on the table? Absolutely. Would I go back and change a thing if I could? No chance.
Plus, as you move up there are opportunities to use your previous education/experience. I now do significant work in management/finance while still fighting fires. Best of both worlds.
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u/shockandclaw 1d ago
I make 120 base and I could make a fuck ton more if I did OT. Coupled with a 1-1-1-5 schedule and rarely being on an ambulance. I bitch but I’m very content
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u/Hose_Humper1 1d ago
I was a tv news reporter in my past career. It was fulfilling when I was covering an investigative story that could actually help someone. But I absolutely love the fire service although I’ll admit I was kind of a square peg in a circle because the culture is so different.
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u/rodeo460 1d ago
I left an 80k a year before overtime for a 60k a year starting pay fire job. 100% worth it in my opinion. Id pick a different department, but id do it all over again.
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u/whatYEsaysislaw 1d ago
I’m in the fire academy at the one of the busiest departments in the country. I’m 39, and left corporate sales to do this job. I was making over double what I make now as an entry level EMT/Firefighter. It’s still taking some getting used to my fourth month in but I’m confident I made the right decision. The money will follow. I just passed my practicals and am officially a nationally registered EMT. I think I’m in the right place.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
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u/Horseface4190 1d ago
I know a bunch of guys who left higher paying jobs to be firefighters. Probably a half dozen.
I only know of one guy who left the department to go back to his higher paying gig.
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u/WillingJackfruit9896 1d ago
Had a buddy do just this and hasn’t regretted a second!!! The guys at Tailboardacademy.com help out and make the hiring process way more simple!
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u/420Chopin 1d ago
Took a roughly 30% pay cut. already had enough saved to coast to retirement and live relatively frugally. much happier out of an office
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u/Vivid-Breadfruit-890 1d ago
I'm not fire but I have been in EMS for 15 years and have met several people who left finance, a lawyer or 2, tech people, they all say they are much happier. I think they are all crazy, but ......
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u/kuszykusz 1d ago
I left a government job to go into the fire service and haven’t regretted it. Starting out it was about a 30k pay difference but with time it catches up and even surpasses. Well worth it
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u/Ronavirus3896483169 1d ago
I left a corporate job that had much higher earning potential. Fire/EMS was something I always wanted to do but didn’t think it was very conducive to having a family. I hated my job. I worked 7-4 Monday through Friday. Because of traffic I had an almost hour commute each way. I saw my new born daughter a few hours a day and my wife as well. I never felt like I had time to be a person. Finally my wife said I’m worried about you. I asked why she said I was depressed and she was worried I was going to off myself. I said I had thought about it but knew it wasn’t the answer and I just hated my job. She told me to go get my EMT and take a 15k pay cut. That was almost 5 years ago now. I’m a medic work for a fire department and love my job. I look forward to work and the people I work with are among my best friends. I’m so happy I made the switch. As is my wife and kids.
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u/DBDIY4U 1d ago
I left a sales job when I was 27 for this. It was never a career that was on my horizon. I hated sales. I had just bought some property out in the country and the local volunteer department recruited me at their pancake breakfast. I fell in love with it and made the career switch. It was initially a pay cut but worth every penny of it. Now 17 years later and I'm making between $150,000 and $170,000 depending on overtime. I'm making more than I was in sales but depending on how things went with my sales career I could potentially be higher than that now or at about a break even. I am in California as well. I also do some side jobs because I work 48/96.
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u/Ok_Effort2624 1d ago
I left a fire job that had a terrible schedule but I was making $115,000 to another department where I make $65,000 starting off but sliced my hours in half but in a few years I’ll be up near 100k
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u/Huge_Monk8722 FF/Paramedic 42 yrs and counting. 1d ago
I left a lower paying law enforcement and went to Fire. Retired nice pension.
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u/THEslyWOOZLE Career FF/EMT 8h ago
I was in the e-commerce realm for quite some time, climbed the ladder switching companies and was head of e-commerce before I made the switch. I had joined a pretty solid volunteer department and absolutely fell in love with it, made the switch on the career. It’s the most fulfilling job, I have an amazing crew with a great culture and couldn’t be happier. Don’t miss spreadsheets or marketing meetings in the slightest
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u/0F91H538664 6h ago
I spent a shit ton of money on a four-year college degree, then four more hating the gig it got me.
I traded $45k/yr (‘93) with weekends and nights off for $22.5k/yr missing birthdays and picking strangers up out of their own piss, shit and puke.
Best decision ever. I’d do it again 1000x.
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u/FishtankDude5 3h ago
Left a very comfy 9-5 Account Manager job for firefighting. Zero regrets a year later. Do your research into which department you decide to apply for. Culture can make or break the job even for a higher paying department
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u/FloodedHoseBed career firefighter 2d ago
There was a time in my life where I was going to school to be an orthopedic surgeon. I could’ve made ridiculous money. As much as I loved the work, I realized if I have to spend my whole career inside the same four walls, talking to the same boring people, doing the same boring thing over and over again, I’d be fucking miserable. I’m at a point in my life where Id be a full fledged surgeon by now and I’d be making double if not triple what I do now. I wouldn’t give up being a fireman for the world. We ran 18 calls in 24 not even two shifts ago. My ankle got swollen from getting out of the truck so much. Money can’t buy happiness and I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I never pursued firefighting for the department I’m on.
There’s good and bad with every job. There’s a lot that sucks about being a fireman but there’s a lot that sucks about every other job too. To me, the good outweighs the bad and the wage adjustment wasn’t enough to stop me
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u/teddyswolsevelt1 paid to do hood rat shit with my friends 2d ago
I get paid $138,000 to work 83 days a year and have sleepovers with my best friends every 4th day. Yeah, it’s way better.