Firefighter
Median hourly wage: $23.85
Median annual wage: $49,620
Firefighters respond to fires and other emergencies, putting themselves in many life-threatening situations in order to save other people. Firefighters usually work in long shifts, such as 24 or 48 hours, but their schedule might vary depending on each fire department and location.
Those wanting to become firefighters do not need a college degree; they do, however, need to undergo specific training at a fire academy and an honest desire to help others.
Police Officer
Median hourly wage: $30.47
Median annual wage: $63,380
Crimes unfortunately happen regardless of economic activity. This means police officers and other law enforcement representatives such as detectives and federal agents, are just as busy protecting the community. Being public workers, they are somewhat safer from being laid off, but the unemployment rate is lower also because no one wants more crimes to add fuel to the recession fire.
According to a United States Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the high unemployment rates during the Great Recession led to a spike in crimes. Police officers are here to prevent this from happening again. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of law enforcement personnel is expected to grow in the following years.
