Firefighter in Janesville, WI

Here is a comprehensive career guide for Firefighters considering a move to Janesville, Wisconsin.

---

The Salary Picture: Where Janesville Stands

As a career analyst looking at Janesville, the first thing I do is run the numbers. For firefighters here, the compensation landscape is stable, cost-of-living adjusted, but competitive with the state average. The median salary of $55,646/year breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.75/hour. This is slightly below the national average of $57,120/year, but that’s a misleading comparison. When you factor in Janesville’s cost of living, which is 8.6% lower than the national average (Cost of Living Index: 91.4), your purchasing power here is actually stronger. The metro area supports 132 firefighting jobs with a 10-year job growth of 4%. This isn't a boomtown, but it's an exceptionally stable market. You're not looking at explosive growth, but you're also not worrying about mass layoffs.

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect to earn based on experience within the Janesville area. These figures are extrapolated from local municipal data and the provided median.

Experience Level	Est. Annual Salary	Est. Hourly Rate	Notes
Entry-Level	$48,000 - $52,000	$23.08 - $24.99	Typically a probationary period (1-2 years). Higher starting pay if you have paramedic certification.
Mid-Level (5-7 yrs)	$55,646 (Median)	$26.75	This is the typical full-performance level firefighter after probation.
Senior (10+ yrs)	$62,000 - $70,000	$29.81 - $33.65	Often includes shift supervisor, training officer, or specialized team lead roles.
Expert/Command	$75,000 - $85,000+	$36.06 - $40.87+	Battalion Chiefs, Fire Marshals, and other command staff. Top of the scale is often in the six figures.

Comparison to Other WI Cities:

• Milwaukee: Median salary is often $65,000+, but cost of living is 15% higher. You’ll make more, but your dollar goes less far.
• Madison: Similar to Milwaukee, with higher pay ($62,000+) but a significantly higher cost of living (housing is 30%+ more expensive).
• Green Bay: Very comparable to Janesville, with slightly lower salaries ($54,000) and a similar cost of living.
• Superior: Lower salaries ($50,000) but also a much lower cost of living.

Insider Tip: Janesville Fire Department (JFD) is a combination department (career and paid-on-call). Most full-time career positions are filled from within the paid-on-call roster. If you’re moving from out-of-state, your best path is to secure a paid-on-call spot, prove your reliability, and be the first applicant when a full-time spot opens. They know you, you know the apparatus, and you’re a cultural fit.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get practical. With a median salary of $55,646, your take-home pay after taxes (federal, state, Social Security, Medicare) is roughly $42,000 - $44,000 annually, or about $3,500 - $3,650 per month. This is a conservative estimate.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Firefighter, Median Salary):

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay (after taxes)	~$3,550	Based on $55,646/year filing as single.
Average 1BR Rent	$841	The city-wide average.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Water, Trash)	$180 - $220	Older apartments can be higher in winter.
Groceries	$350 - $400	For one person, eating out occasionally.
Car Payment/Insurance/Gas	$450 - $600	Janesville is car-dependent. Public transit is limited.
Health Insurance (if not covered)	$200 - $350	Most full-time firefighters have excellent city-provided benefits, so this may be $0.
Retirement Savings (401k/457b)	$300 - $500	Highly recommended. WI state pension is also in play.
Entertainment/Personal	$300 - $400	Movies, bars, hobbies.
Remaining	$150 - $750	This is your buffer.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. The median home price in Janesville is around $180,000 - $200,000. With a $55,646 salary, a 20% down payment ($40,000) is achievable with saving, and the monthly mortgage (including taxes and insurance) would be around $1,100 - $1,250. This is higher than rent, but it’s a feasible 30% of your gross income. Many firefighters here own homes, often in neighborhoods like Magnolia or The Bluffs. Having a dual-income household makes this even easier.

Insider Tip: If you buy, prioritize a house with a attached garage. Janesville winters are real, and having a heated space for your gear (and your winter vehicle) is a game-changer. Also, look for homes in the Janesville School District, which is generally well-regarded.

Where the Jobs Are: Janesville's Major Employers

The firefighting job market in Janesville is dominated by municipal agencies. You won’t find a sprawling network of private fire companies. Your employer will almost certainly be the Janesville Fire Department or the Rock County Fire Department (which serves the surrounding townships).

Here are the key employers and the local context:

1. Janesville Fire Department (JFD): The primary employer. A combination department with 7 stations covering the city. They are the main source of full-time career jobs. Hiring is slow and methodical, often only 1-2 openings per year. They handle everything from structure fires to technical rescue and EMS.
2. Rock County Fire Department: Covers the unincorporated areas of Rock County. They often operate on a paid-on-call basis with a smaller full-time core. Excellent for gaining experience and getting your foot in the door for the county seat.
3. City of Beloit Fire Department: Located just 15 minutes south. Beloit has a larger, busier population and a busier fire department. Their salaries are comparable, but the call volume is higher. A great alternative if JFD isn’t hiring.
4. Mercyhealth Hospital (Janesville): While not a fire department, Mercyhealth is a major health provider and a key partner for EMS. Many firefighters are also paramedics and work closely with hospital ER staff.
5. Rock County Sheriff's Office: Often has a dive team and other specialized units that collaborate with fire departments on water rescue and technical calls.
6. Stryker (Corporate HQ in Kalamazoo, MI): While not in Janesville, Stryker has a major manufacturing facility in nearby Portage, WI (about an hour away). It’s a reminder that the region has strong medical device manufacturing, which can be a secondary career for spouses or a source of volunteer opportunities.

Hiring Trends: The trend in Janesville is stable with slow growth. The 4% 10-year growth reflects retirements more than expansion. The key trend is the requirement for paramedic certification. If you are a paramedic, you are significantly more competitive for any opening. The department is also investing in specialized training for technical rescue (confined space, trench) and hazmat, given the industrial base in the region.

Getting Licensed in WI

To work as a firefighter in Wisconsin, you must be certified by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). The process is rigorous and must be done through the Wisconsin Fire Academy (WFA).

State-Specific Requirements:

1. Firefighter I & II Certification: This is the core. You must complete the full curriculum at a WFA-approved training center. This is a 6-month to 1-year commitment if done full-time.
2. EMT-Basic (Minimum): All Wisconsin firefighters are required to have EMT-Basic certification. Many departments, including JFD, strongly prefer or require Paramedic certification.
3. Driver/Operator: To drive a fire apparatus, you’ll need pump operator certification.
4. Physical Ability Test (CPAT): You must pass this standardized fitness test. It’s a pass/fail with no retests on the same day.
5. Background Check & Driver’s License: A clean record is non-negotiable.

Costs:

• Firefighter I & II Training: Can cost between $5,000 - $8,000 if taken through a technical college. Some agencies sponsor recruits, but this is rare for out-of-state hires.
• EMT-Basic Course: $1,000 - $1,500.
• Paramedic Program: $8,000 - $12,000 (if needed).
• Certification Fees (DSPS): $200 - $300.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Fastest Path (Already Certified): If you are a certified Firefighter and EMT from another state, you can apply for reciprocity. You may need to take a short Wisconsin-specific course. Timeline: 3-6 months to get licensed and apply.
• Typical Path (Starting from Scratch): Enroll in a WFA-approved program (e.g., at Madison College or Blackhawk Technical College). Complete Fire I/II and EMT-B. Then, apply to Janesville for a paid-on-call position, or to other agencies. While in training, start networking. Timeline: 12-18 months before you're a competitive applicant.

Insider Tip: Contact the Janesville Fire Department's Training Division before you start any out-of-state training. They can tell you exactly what will or won't transfer, saving you time and money. They are surprisingly accessible.

Best Neighborhoods for Firefighters

Janesville is a city of distinct neighborhoods. For a firefighter, you want a balance of a reasonable commute to a station, affordability, and a community feel.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's a Good Fit
Downtown	Walkable, historic, near the Rock River. Commute to any station is <10 mins.	$900 - $1,100	Young professionals, historic lofts. Close to bars/restaurants for off-duty time. Parking can be tight.
Magnolia	Quiet, residential, tree-lined streets. 10-15 min commute to most stations.	$750 - $900	Very popular with young families and first-time homebuyers. Great value, safe, and close to parks.
The Bluffs	Newer development, more spacious lots. 15-20 min commute (traffic is light).	$850 - $1,000+	If you want a newer apartment or plan to buy a home. More space, but you'll be more car-dependent.
Southside (near Parker High)	Working-class, affordable, solid community. 10-15 min commute.	$700 - $850	Excellent affordability. Great for firefighters on a budget who still want a sense of community.
Near Mercyhealth Hospital	Convenient if you're also a paramedic. 5-10 min commute to Station 1.	$800 - $950	Easy access to the hospital for EMS shifts. Mixed-area with some older homes and apartments.

Insider Tip: The Janesville Farmers Market (Saturdays, May-Oct) is a social hub. Living near the downtown area or Magnolia puts you in the thick of it. It’s a great way to integrate into the community. Also, note that rent prices in Janesville are remarkably stable, with minimal year-over-year spikes compared to larger cities.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Janesville, career growth is defined by specialization and command. The 10-year outlook (4% growth) means you won’t see many new battalions, but there will be steady retirements, opening up senior and command roles.

Specialty Premiums & Advancement Paths:

• Paramedic Premium: This is the single biggest career enhancer. If you are a paramedic, you can expect to be placed on the EMS shift or be the lead medic on an engine. This can come with a stipend (annually, not hourly).
• Technical Rescue Team (TRT): JFD has a TRT for trench, confined space, and high-angle rescue. Getting on this team requires additional training and commitment but comes with a significant sense of accomplishment and specialized skill.
• Fire Inspector/Investigator: With a growing knowledge of building codes and fire science, you can move into the Fire Marshal’s office. This is a day-shift, Monday-Friday role but requires advanced certification.
• Training Officer: A path for those who love teaching. You help train new recruits and maintain proficiency for the department.
• Command Staff (Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief): This is the traditional leadership path. It requires strong organizational skills, leadership, and often a bachelor’s degree (though not always required, it’s a major advantage).

10-Year Outlook: The outlook is secure. Janesville’s industrial base (Stryker, Anheuser-Busch) and healthcare (Mercyhealth) provide stable tax revenue. The fire department is a core service. You won’t get rich, but you can build a 30-year career with a pension, move into a leadership role, and have a very comfortable middle-class life.

The Verdict: Is Janesville Right for You?

Janesville is not the place for someone seeking a fast-paced, high-burnout career in a massive metropolis. It is, however, an ideal location for a firefighter who values stability, community, a reasonable cost of living, and a quality work-life balance.

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your $55,646 salary goes far. Homeownership is achievable.	Slower Pace: Fewer major incidents than a city like Milwaukee. Can feel "quiet."
Stable Job Market: The 4% growth is sustainable. You have job security.	Limited Hiring: You must be patient and likely start as paid-on-call.
Strong Community: Janesville has a proud, tight-knit feel. Firefighters are respected.	Car-Dependent: You'll need a reliable vehicle. Public transit is not robust.
Manageable Call Volume: Less risk of chronic burnout. Good for long-term career health.	Winters are Long & Cold: From November to March, you'll be dealing with snow, ice, and sub-zero temps.
Excellent Work-Life Balance: A true 24/48 or 24/72 schedule is common.	Limited Nightlife/Entertainment: It's a smaller city. You’ll drive to Madison (1 hour) for major concerts or events.

Final Recommendation: Janesville is a strong "yes" for firefighters who are:

• Paramedics (most competitive).
• Patient enough to start as paid-on-call.
• Budget-conscious and want to own a home.
• Community-oriented and prefer a smaller-city feel.

If you’re a thrill-seeker who needs the energy of a major city, look to Milwaukee or Chicago. But if you want a stable, rewarding career where you’re part of the fabric of a community, Janesville is a hidden gem.

FAQs

Q: Can I just apply for a full-time job in Janesville as an out-of-state firefighter?
A: It’s very difficult. The Janesville Fire Department almost exclusively hires from its paid-on-call roster. Your best bet is to move to Janesville, get your Wisconsin certifications, join as paid-on-call, and prove your worth.

Q: What is the schedule like?
A: Most career firefighters in Wisconsin work a 24-hour shift, followed by 48 or 72 hours off. Common schedules are 24/48 or a "Kelly" schedule (24 on, 24 off, 24 on, 24 off, 24 on, 96 off). This provides excellent time off for family or side jobs.

Q: Is Wisconsin a pension state for firefighters?
A: Yes. Wisconsin has the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), which is one of the most stable public pension systems in the U.S. As a full-time firefighter, you will be enrolled. It’s a defined benefit plan based on your years of service and final average salary.

Q: How do winters affect firefighting operations?
A: Significantly. You’ll deal with frozen hydrants (they use a special tool), icy roads slowing response