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Fire academy by state

337 firefighter programs in 34 states, with costs, results and funding that can make them free

Which schools offer WIOA-approved fire academy training?

201 schools offer these programs, and each state on this page approved its programs for workforce funding. Pick a state on the map or compare them belowCompare the states below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.

What does a firefighter do, and how do you become one?

Firefighters put out fires and answer emergencies that put people, property or the environment at risk. Most need a high school diploma, must pass written and physical tests and an interview, and then train for a few months at a fire academy run by a fire department or the state. Firefighters may also need EMT or paramedic certification.1

Approved programsup to 23 to 45 to 14more than 14

How much does fire academy cost?

Most firefighter programs approved for WIOA funding cost $1,417 to $6,827 if you pay yourself. Certificates and short courses mostly cost $1,200 to $3,994 and two-year degrees $7,298 to $10,679. Prices also differ by state: most cost $523 to $5,018 in North Carolina and $4,558 to $9,920 in Wisconsin.

That is the price of the whole program as the school reports it. If you qualify, WIOA funding can pay part or all of it, depending on local limits (who qualifies). The figures cover only programs approved for WIOA funding; other schools and programs may cost more or less.

Compare fire academy training by state: cost, pay and results

Fire academy by state
StateProgramsMost costEarned a year, estimatedWorking 6 months laterFinished
Alaska3Too few figures to show
Arizona15$3,845 to $6,868about $43,800100%19%
Arkansas4Too few figures to show
California32$954 to $1,775about $58,40074%96%
Colorado32$648 to $5,186about $37,70047%73%
Florida28$2,326 to $4,283about $40,50089%86%
Georgia11$2,334 to $7,631Not reportedNot reportedNot enough data
Hawaii1Too few figures to show
Illinois8Left outNot reportedNot reportedNot reported
Indiana2Too few figures to show
Iowa4Too few figures to show
Louisiana3Not enough dataNot enough dataLeft outLeft out
Maine2Too few figures to show
Michigan14$2,959 to $9,245about $47,80080%79%
Minnesota24$2,713 to $9,391about $46,00081%40%
Mississippi1Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough dataLeft out
Missouri11$6,519 to $12,032Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Nebraska2Too few figures to show
Nevada2Too few figures to show
New Hampshire4Not enough dataNot enough dataLeft outNot enough data
New Mexico7$4,412 to $6,424about $36,50064%Left out
North Carolina8$523 to $5,018Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
North Dakota1Too few figures to show
Ohio53$998 to $2,784Not enough dataNot enough dataNot enough data
Oklahoma5$2,860 to $5,500Not enough dataLeft outNot enough data
Oregon5Too few figures to show
Pennsylvania1Too few figures to show
Tennessee2Too few figures to show
Texas16$3,826 to $8,058about $33,50078%60%
Utah3Not enough dataNot enough dataLeft outNot enough data
Vermont1Left outNot reportedNot reportedNot enough data
Washington16$946 to $9,242about $36,80090%69%
Wisconsin14$4,558 to $9,920about $32,70080%31%
Wyoming2Not enough dataNot enough dataLeft outNot enough data

Each figure is the middle program in that state. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools may offer fire academy training too. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).How these figures are made

Fire academy or fire science degree? What the 337 programs are

By kind, the 337 programs approved for WIOA funding are fire academy (Firefighter I and II, 137 programs), fire science (associate degree, 86 programs), fire science certificate or diploma (32 programs), wildland firefighter course (23 programs), and 59 more of 5 other kinds.

Across the US, 118 of the 337 programs take students without a high school diploma, 170 ask for a diploma or equivalent, 47 ask for earlier courses first, 1 asks for an associate degree and 1 asks for a bachelor's degree.

Is there free fire academy training in the US?

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Other training by state

Approved programs per field across every state. Each opens that field's comparison by state.

Where the firefighter program numbers by state come from

Which firefighter programs are counted?

Programs each state approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).6 Schools that never applied for approval are missing.

What the figures for each state mean

Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).

Sources for the facts about fire academy training

Show the 6 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Firefighters
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List