How to Make 6 Figures As A Firefighter? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: September 9th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a Firefighter? Good for you! Being a Firefighter is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.

In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a Firefighter - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)

Starting a career coaching business could be a lucrative way for you to reach six figures as a firefighter. By leveraging your skills and experiences, you could provide personalized guidance, support, and strategic services to help clients navigate their professional lives. This could include designing custom sessions that assist with resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement tailored specifically to each client's goals.

With the flexibility to offer services both in-person and virtually, you could build a diverse client base and empower others through specialized advice and accountability. If you have strong speaking talents and a knack for motivation, this side business could allow you to monetize these natural abilities while enjoying the freedom to set your own schedule. Embracing this entrepreneurial path might just be the key to ensuring both career satisfaction and financial growth.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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2. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could be an excellent way for you to earn extra income as a firefighter. Since you don't need to commit a lot of time, thanks to marketing tools and automation, this side business allows you to balance your firefighting duties and entrepreneurial ambitions. Whether you aim to clear your utility bills, finance your child's college education, or save for a well-deserved vacation, this venture offers flexibility and financial rewards.

A well-developed social media marketing strategy enables you to serve clients efficiently, maximizing your return on investment. Building an agency portfolio to market your services helps you attract and retain clients, ultimately enabling you to earn six figures. This flexibility and potential income stream make starting a social media marketing agency a practical and lucrative option for firefighters looking to supplement their income.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

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3. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)

Starting an eCommerce store could be an excellent way for a firefighter to supplement their income and work toward making six figures. With the flexibility to operate online, you could manage your store during your off-duty hours, selling products or services without the burden of high overhead costs typical of a brick-and-mortar business.

Ecommerce is booming due to its convenience and efficiency for consumers, allowing you to tap into a broad audience that prefers shopping from the comfort of their homes. Setting up a website with inventory and payment processing capabilities enables you to reach customers far beyond your local area, significantly increasing your revenue potential.

By leveraging your unique interests or skills, you could create a niche eCommerce business that differentiates you from competitors and attracts a loyal customer base. Whether it's customized gear, fitness equipment, or specialty items related to firefighting, the possibilities are endless.

How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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4. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a firefighter, combining your unique experiences and writing skills. With the flexibility that freelance writing offers, you could work on articles, blog posts, or even specialized firefighting content during your off-hours, allowing you to effectively manage your time around your firefighting schedule.

Given the high demand for quality content across various niches, your ability to meet deadlines, stay up-to-date with current writing tools and trends, and communicate effectively will set you apart in the competitive freelance market. If you have strong writing skills and are a self-starter, this entrepreneurial venture could help you generate significant extra income, potentially pushing your earnings into the six-figure territory.

How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)

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5. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be a viable way for a firefighter to supplement their income and potentially reach six figures. The incredible popularity and established monetization system of YouTube make it a fruitful platform for revenue generation. By sharing your experiences, tips, and behind-the-scenes insights into the life of a firefighter, you could attract a wide audience seeking unique and engaging content.

Entrepreneurial-minded firefighters could use strategies to promote their channel and steadily grow their subscriber base. Joining the YouTube Partner Program, which requires at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months, offers the potential to monetize your channel. Leveraging these opportunities, you can create a successful YouTube channel that not only provides extra income but also contributes significantly to achieving a six-figure salary.

How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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6. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)

As a firefighter, you could leverage your unique experiences and insights by becoming a social media influencer, opening doors to additional income streams. By sharing your expertise on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, you could attract a large following interested in firefighting, safety tips, fitness, and community service, thereby increasing your earning potential. Brands are eager to collaborate with influencers who have established credibility and access to a vast audience, offering opportunities for sponsorships and partnerships.

With the right strategy, focusing on a niche related to your profession, you could create engaging and informative content that resonates with viewers. This could range from behind-the-scenes looks into the life of a firefighter, to educational videos on fire safety, or fitness routines that keep you in top shape for demanding tasks. By building a robust following and establishing a loyal community, you could potentially turn your social media presence into a lucrative side business, significantly boosting your overall income.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

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7. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog could offer a creative and lucrative avenue to supplement your income as a firefighter. By choosing a niche that aligns with your interests and expertise, you could attract a broad audience, leveraging the blog's potential to reach millions of viewers each month. With 77% of internet users reading blogs, you could share valuable insights and experiences related to firefighting, safety tips, or emergency preparedness, establishing yourself as a trusted source in the community.

Over time, as your blog grows, you could monetize it through advertising, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing. Given that blogs are rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information, your platform could attract numerous opportunities for partnerships and collaborations. By maintaining a consistent posting schedule and building a mailing list, you could engage a loyal readership, transforming your blog into a rewarding side business or full-time career, potentially pushing your annual income into six figures.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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8. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)

Starting an online course could be a lucrative way for you, as a firefighter, to supplement your income and move towards making six figures. By creating and selling digital classes on specialized skills and knowledge you already possess, such as fire safety, emergency medical response, or crisis management, you could tap into an eager market of lifelong learners.

An online course business allows you to develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, filling educational gaps and sharing your expertise with students globally. The flexibility of self-paced or cohort-based structures could provide passive income, making it a smart side business or even a new primary business opportunity. With relatively low startup costs, launching an online course platform could be an ideal entrepreneurial venture to monetize your instructional talents and reach your financial goals.

How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

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9. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as a firefighter, helping you to move closer to earning six figures. By creating content focused on topics you’re passionate about, such as firefighting techniques, survival tips, or first-responder stories, you could attract a dedicated audience who shares your interests. This could open doors to sponsorships, advertisements, and even premium content subscriptions, providing additional revenue streams.

The startup costs for a podcast are relatively low; all you need is basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and an affordable hosting platform to publish your episodes. As your audience grows, so does the potential for earning money through various channels. Promoting your podcast effectively through social media and online communities could significantly boost your reach and engagement, enhancing your income opportunities.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

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10. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)

Supplementing your firefighter income as an affiliate marketer could open lucrative opportunities, allowing you to earn commissions by promoting other companies' products or services. This business model requires minimal upfront investment, making it attractive for budget-conscious individuals eager to maximize their earning potential.

As an affiliate marketer, you could leverage your marketing skills to drive traffic and generate sales through your unique referral links. By selecting a profitable niche and partnering with reputable affiliate programs, you could transform your off-duty hours into a productive side business, potentially reaching six-figure earnings.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

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11. Digital products ($261K/month)

Creating and selling digital products could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income as a firefighter. Digital products such as ebooks, online courses, or membership sites are highly popular and easy to create, allowing you to leverage your unique skills and knowledge without needing to hire anyone else.

You could share your expertise in firefighting, emergency safety, or fitness training through these digital formats. Since there's no need to worry about physical inventory, you could sell these products directly from your website and reach a broad audience. This low-barrier entry into the entrepreneurial world offers nearly endless possibilities and the potential to generate a substantial side income or even a primary revenue stream over time.

How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.