Prevailing Wage for Firefighters
Prevailing wage floors for Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) are set by DOL using regional wage surveys, and whether you're pursuing sponsorship as a Fire Engineer, Fire Equipment Operator, or in a related fire suppression role, the floor varies significantly by city. DOL establishes four experience levels, so the wage your employer must meet depends on both your location and your seniority.
See all jobs for FirefightersLook up your work address
Level 1 covers entry-level firefighters with limited field experience, typically in initial probationary or recruit phases. These workers follow established procedures under direct supervision and have not yet developed independent emergency response judgment.
Level 2 applies to qualified firefighters with solid field experience who handle standard emergency calls with moderate supervision. This is the most common filing level for Firefighters, reflecting the majority of active-duty personnel beyond the probationary stage.
Level 3 covers experienced firefighters who operate with significant independence, often leading smaller units or specialized functions such as hazardous materials response or technical rescue, drawing on several years of demonstrated field performance.
Level 4 applies to fully competent senior firefighters or fire management specialists who direct operations, mentor junior personnel, and carry institutional authority across complex emergency scenarios or multi-agency incidents.
Prevailing Wage for Firefighters by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
See all jobs for Firefighters
See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Firefighters and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Firefighters
Confirm your station's worksite city on the LCA
Firefighters are tied to a specific fire station address, not a department headquarters. The LCA must list the actual worksite location, since prevailing wage floors for fire suppression roles can differ by tens of thousands of dollars between neighboring cities in the same metro area.
Watch how overtime is counted toward the wage floor
Many fire departments use shift structures with significant built-in overtime. DOL's prevailing wage obligation applies to the base annualized rate, not total compensation including overtime premiums, so confirm the base salary alone clears the floor for your assigned wage level.
Check historical sponsorship counts before applying
Very few fire departments have a documented H-1B or E-3 sponsorship history. Migrate Mate shows which employers have actually sponsored firefighter and fire management roles in the past, so you can target agencies with a real track record rather than starting from scratch.
Recognize when a fire management title shifts your SOC
Roles titled Fire Management Specialist or Forest Fire Suppression Specialist are sometimes filed under natural resources or land management SOC codes instead of SOC 33-2011, which sets a different prevailing wage floor. Verify the SOC code on any LCA before comparing it to this occupation's wage data.
Jobs for Firefighters are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for FirefightersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 33-2011.00 alongside Firefighters, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Fire Engineer Prevailing Wage
Fire Engineer Prevailing Wage
Fire Engineer positions fall under SOC 33-2011.00 (Firefighters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Fire Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
Fire Equipment Operator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Fire Equipment Operator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 33-2011.00 (Firefighters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Fire Fighter Prevailing Wage
Fire Fighter Prevailing Wage
Fire Fighter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 33-2011.00 (Firefighters). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Fire Management Specialist Prevailing Wage
Fire Management Specialist Prevailing Wage
Fire Management Specialist positions fall under SOC 33-2011.00 (Firefighters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Fire Technician (Fire Tech) Prevailing Wage
Fire Technician (Fire Tech) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Fire Technician (Fire Tech) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 33-2011.00 (Firefighters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Forest Fire Suppression Specialist Prevailing Wage
Forest Fire Suppression Specialist Prevailing Wage
Forest Fire Suppression Specialist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 33-2011.00 (Firefighters). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Forestry Fire Technician (Forestry Fire Tech) Prevailing Wage
Forestry Fire Technician (Forestry Fire Tech) Prevailing Wage
Forestry Fire Technician (Forestry Fire Tech) positions fall under SOC 33-2011.00 (Firefighters). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Hot Shot Prevailing Wage
Hot Shot Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Hot Shot for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 33-2011.00 (Firefighters). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Wildland Firefighter Prevailing Wage
Wildland Firefighter Prevailing Wage
Wildland Firefighter is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 33-2011.00 (Firefighters). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Firefighters?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through employer surveys in each metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area. OFLC then publishes four wage levels for each SOC code and location. Employers filing an LCA for a sponsored firefighter must pay at least the level that matches the position's duties and required experience.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
DOL's four levels reflect increasing experience and independence. Level 1 is entry or probationary, Level 2 is qualified with standard duties performed under moderate supervision, Level 3 is experienced with meaningful autonomy, and Level 4 is fully competent with leadership scope. Your level should match the actual duties in the job description, not just your years of service. A mismatch can trigger a DOL audit.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same firefighter role vary so much by city?
DOL derives wage floors from regional OES surveys, so floors reflect local labor market conditions rather than a national rate. The worksite address on the LCA determines which area's wage applies, not the department's billing or administrative address. Dense, high-cost metros like San Jose and San Francisco produce significantly higher floors than rural or lower-wage markets, reflecting what local employers actually pay for fire suppression work.
What happens if a sponsored firefighter's offer is below the prevailing wage?
USCIS can deny or revoke the visa petition if the offered wage falls below the DOL-certified prevailing wage for the worksite location and wage level. The employer is also liable under the LCA's wage obligation for the duration of the sponsorship period. DOL's Wage and Hour Division can investigate complaints and require back pay if the floor is not met during employment.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool on DOL's website and enter SOC code 33-2011 along with the specific worksite city and state. This returns the four certified wage levels for that location. Cross-check against the job offer letter to confirm the offered salary meets at least the level the employer selected on the LCA. O*NET also provides occupational context that can help confirm the correct SOC code is being used.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Firefighters right now.
Search Jobs for Firefighters