Firefighter
$60KHigh match
Stable demand
Live · Guide v1.08811 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262027 Cohort · Applications Open
USMC · 8811Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.8811.R.04
8811 · USMC · Enlisted
Firefighter.
Marine Corps 8811 (Firefighter). 480 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $45K–$70K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours480DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Fire Science (estimated)
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage3/7direct + partial
This career guide was generated using AI analysis of military job code data. Salary figures, certification coverage percentages, and career matches are estimates — verify with official sources before making career decisions.
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 8811 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 8811 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have04
- 01Rapid Prioritization→ Triage and resolve technical issues efficiently.
- 02Team Synchronization→ Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
- 03Situational Awareness→ Anticipate potential security threats and system vulnerabilities.
- 04Procedural Compliance→ Adhere to industry standards and regulations in software development and IT operations.
To learn08
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+Linux fundamentals+Networking basics+Cloud computing concepts (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Scripting with Python or Bash+SQL for data querying+Data visualization tools (Tableau, PowerBI)+Troubleshooting techniques+Help desk ticketing systems (e.g., Zendesk, ServiceNow)
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, remote-first software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
$45KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — EMT Certification
Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Technician
$65KGood match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Hazmat Certification
- — OSHA Training
Fire Inspector
$70KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Fire Inspector Certification
- — Building Codes Knowledge
Safety Specialist
$62KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — OSHA Safety Certification
- — Risk Assessment Training
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 8811 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Rapid Prioritization
In emergency situations, firefighters must quickly assess the severity of the situation, identify potential hazards, and determine the order in which tasks must be completed to save lives and property.
Transfers to
The ability to quickly assess situations, identify the most critical issues, and prioritize actions is valuable in dynamic and high-pressure environments.
Team Synchronization
Firefighters operate in teams, requiring seamless coordination and communication to effectively combat fires, conduct rescues, and ensure everyone's safety.
Transfers to
Effectively coordinating with team members, anticipating their needs, and maintaining clear communication are critical for achieving shared goals in collaborative work environments.
Situational Awareness
Firefighters constantly monitor their surroundings, including fire behavior, structural integrity, and potential dangers, to make informed decisions and adapt their strategies.
Transfers to
Maintaining awareness of the overall environment, anticipating potential problems, and adapting strategies based on changing conditions are crucial for effective decision-making in dynamic settings.
Procedural Compliance
Firefighters adhere to strict protocols and procedures during operations to ensure safety, effectiveness, and compliance with regulations.
Transfers to
Following established procedures, adhering to safety standards, and ensuring compliance with regulations are essential for maintaining quality and minimizing risks in regulated industries.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Emergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've been trained to respond to emergencies, assess risks, and develop strategies. This translates perfectly to planning and coordinating disaster response and recovery efforts at a broader level.
Adjacent · MatchIndustrial Safety Engineer
SOC 17-2111.00Your experience in fire prevention and safety protocols makes you well-suited to identify and mitigate hazards in industrial settings, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and protecting workers.
Adjacent · MatchInsurance Claims Adjuster
SOC 13-1031.00You're used to assessing damage, documenting incidents, and working under pressure. As a claims adjuster, you will investigate insurance claims, determine the extent of loss or damage, and negotiate settlements, using your analytical skills and attention to detail.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Marine Corps Firefighting and Rescue School
Goodfellow Air Force Base, TX480hHours
12wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 9 semester hours recommended in Fire Science (estimated)
Topics · 7
- Basic Firefighting Techniques
- Structural Fire Control
- Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF)
- Hazardous Materials Response
- Fire Prevention and Safety
- Vehicle Extrication
- Emergency Medical Response (Basic)
Partial coverage · 3
- Firefighter I & II70%
Local fire codes and specific equipment used by civilian fire departments, incident command systems.
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)40%
Advanced medical procedures, pharmacology, and clinical experience required for national certification.
- Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations60%
Specific regulations and procedures related to hazardous materials incidents in the civilian sector; focus on environmental protection agency (EPA) regulations.
Recommended next · 04
- Fire Officer IAdjacent
- Fire Inspector IAdjacent
- Associate's Degree in Fire ScienceAdjacent
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Structural Firefighting Gear (Bunker Gear) | Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Structural Firefighting | Operations |
| Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Vehicles (e.g., Oshkosh Striker) | Airport Fire Trucks (e.g., Rosenbauer Panther) | Aviation |
| P-19 Fire Truck | Commercial fire engine | Operations |
| Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) | Commercial thermal imaging cameras (e.g., FLIR) | Operations |
| Jaws of Life (Hydraulic Rescue Tools) | Hydraulic Rescue Tools (e.g., Hurst Jaws of Life) | Operations |
| Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) | Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) | Operations |
| Fire Hose and Nozzles (Various Types) | Commercial Fire Hose and Nozzle Systems | Operations |
Cohort 2027 · Intake Open
Ship 8811 into a software engineering career.
The pathways above are the destination. Vets Who Code is the route: a free, remote-first software engineering accelerator for active duty, veterans, and military spouses. 17 weeks at 20–30 hours a week, and a body of work that ships.