Job prospects Firefighter in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "firefighter" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Firefighters (NOC 42101) in Ontario for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment is expected to remain relatively stable.
• Several positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Majority employed by local or municipal governments, in fire-fighting departments
• Electric power generation, construction, and security systems services also employ a few firefighters

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• The level of job opportunities and requirements are set by municipalities
• Population growth is expected to result in expanded fire services in some areas
• Provincial mandatory retirement age for salaried firefighters should create some replacement needs
• Volunteers or on-call personnel account for about 6-in-10 of the total number of firefighters; municipal budgets may moderate job creation for salaried firefighters

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Typically, completion of high school, although some municipalities may prefer additional education
• A pre-service firefighter training program is offered through the Office of the Fire Marshal

What Other Information Will I Find Helpful?

• This occupation may attract a large pool of candidates, and this can result in a high level of competition to secure a position.

Here are some key facts about Firefighters in Ontario:

• Approximately 13,350 people work in this occupation.
• Firefighters mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Local, municipal, regional, aboriginal and other public administration (NAICS 913-919): 90%
• 89% of firefighters work all year, while 11% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 49 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 93% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 7% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 17% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 15% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 48% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 17% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "firefighter" Firefighters (NOC 42101) or across Canada.

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