MCC
Employment
Outlook
Fire
Science
Technology
Job Titles
Dispatcher
Firefighter
Fire Inspector
Educational Requirements: Applicants must
pass physical and written examinations.
Postsecondary education in fire science may
improve an applicant’s chances for employment.
The number of applicants with postsecondary
education has increased in recent years.
Employment Outlook
Applicants for
firefighting
occupations are
expected to face
keen competition for
available openings through
2018. Employment
opportunities are expected
to increase as faster than
average. Most growth will
stem from volunteer fire
fighting positions being
converted to paid positions.
Those who have completed
fire fighter education at a
community college and
have certification will have
an advantage. Employment
of dispatchers is expected
to increase more slowly
than average although many
opportunities will arise
from replacement needs.
In 2006, there were 7,320
persons employed in the
fire science industry in
Missouri. This number is
expected to increase to 7,740 by
2016. Employment for
firefighters is expected to increase
at a rate of four percent per year.
Employment for dispatchers is
expected to increase to 3,040 by
2016. Each year, it is estimated
that there will be 240 openings for
firefighters and 100 openings for
dispatchers.
Sources: America’s Career InfoNet,
Missouri Economic Research & Information Center,
The Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
About one-fifth of
those employed in
the fire science
industry in Missouri
work in the Kansas
City area. Employment for
firefighters and dispatchers will
increase at a rate between two
and three percent per year.
There will be about 36 fire
fighting positions and 11
dispatcher positions available
each year in Kansas City.
The Office of Research and Planning
43.0201 7/10
Program: Fire Science Certificate
CIP Code: 43.0201
This is a 24 credit hour degree program that can be completed in two semesters if a
student attends full-time (12 credit hours per semester in this case).
Degree Holders
Employed Related
Percent
Employed Not Related
Percent
Continuing Education Related
Percent
Continuing Education Not Related
Percent
Other
Percent
Salary
Number Reporting
Mean
Median
Time to Completion
Average Semesters Enrolled
Average Hours per Semester
Employed in Kansas City, MO
Employed in Greater Kansas City
2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009
24
66
69
80
87
8
22
22
32
16
33%
33%
32%
40%
18%
6
19
22
16
17
25%
29%
32%
20%
20%
2
10
7
8
9
8%
15%
10%
10%
10%
7
8%
8
15
18
4
38
23%
26%
5%
44%
2
$32,500
$32,500
12
$28,708
$32,500
12
$26,500
$25,000
21
$29,167
$29,167
26
$24,712
$21,703
2
19
2
2
16
17
2
14
2
10
4
8
9
18
4
8
6
22
Companies that employed graduates from this program: City of Sugar Creek, Gladstone Fire
Department, Grandview Fire Department, Harrah's Casino, I-70 Speedway, Independence Fire
Department, Lake Lotawana Fire Dept, Lee's Summit Fire Department, Lenexa Fire Department,
Lincoln County Fire District, Lone Jack Fire, Odessa EMS, Prairie Township, Raytown Fire Department,
Riverside Fire Department, Smithville Fire Department, Sugar Creek Fire Dept, Trenton Fire
Department, Warrensburg Fire Department.
Note: Time to completion involves looking at the number of semesters a typical student enrolls in order
to complete the program requirements. The number of semesters is influenced by the number of credit
hours a student enrolls in each semester. The number of credit hours a student enrolls in is reflective of
each individual student's time, motivation and/or personal commitments.
Program: A.A.S. Fire Science Technology
CIP Code: 43.0201
This is a 66 credit hour degree program that can be completed in four semesters if a
student attends full-time (17 credit hours per semester in this case).
Degree Holders
Employed Related
Percent
Employed Not Related
Percent
Continuing Education Related
Percent
Continuing Education Not Related
Percent
Other
Percent
Salary
Number Reporting
Mean
Median
Time to Completion
Average Semesters Enrolled
Average Hours per Semester
Employed in Kansas City, MO
Employed in Greater Kansas City
2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009
6
7
18
7
9
3
5
15
3
4
50%
71%
83%
43%
44%
1
17%
1
6%
2
2
2
4
5
33%
29%
11%
57%
56%
3
4
12
3
3
$37,000
$36,750
$40,000
$40,000
$40,000
$37,500
$36,750
$41,000
$40,000
$40,000
4
7
2
5
7
1
3
2
9
6
11
2
6
11
2
4
Companies that employed graduates from this program: Central Jackson County Fire, City of
Gladstone, City of Harrisonville, City of Leawood FD, City of Lenexa, Department NT, Grandview FD,
Independence FD, John Knox Village, Kansas City Fire Department, Kearney Fire and Rescue, Lee's
Summit Fire Department, NKC Fire Department, Overland Park Fire Department, Raytown Fire/Rescue,
Sni Valley Fire Prot. Dist., Southern Platte Fire.
Note: Time to completion involves looking at the number of semesters a typical student enrolls in order
to complete the program requirements. The number of semesters is influenced by the number of credit
hours a student enrolls in each semester. The number of credit hours a student enrolls in is reflective of
each individual student's time, motivation and/or personal commitments.