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Top 25 Cities for Firefighters

As budget cuts threaten to shut fire departments — it’s important to get the best bang for your buck. And there’s no question about it — when it comes to value, not every U.S. city is created equally for Firefighters.

Why chase a great salary if your rent swallows most of it, unemployment is skyrocketing at nearby departments and you spend two hours a day just to get to and from work?

FireLink has come up with the top 25 — and some may surprise you! After examining various city lists, weighing the rankings and taking note of our personal opinions, we’ve produced a list of cities that’s sure to offer something for everyone.

Our Criteria

We looked at cities’ growth rates, average salaries and costs of living.

We factored in average commute time — which, according to experts, has a colossal impact on your overall happiness.

We looked not only at unemployment figures, but also at the rate that unemployment has actually increased.

Thinking of relocating for better firefighting career prospects? Need to compare two top contenders? Just curious to see where your city ranks? We’ve got you covered. Read on!