Fire technician reveals he makes $200,000 a year and says there are ‘heaps of jobs’ available in his industry
A tradie with a little-known job revealed that he earns up to $200,000 a year and that there is plenty of work available in the industry.
The man’s high wages were revealed when he was pulled over on a Brisbane street last week by an interviewer from job-seeking app Getahead.
In the interview, he said he works as a fire technician and earns between $120,000 and $200,000 a year “depending on how hard I work.”
“I think my student will make $80,000 this year,” he said.
“I do all the fire detection systems.”
A fire engineer (pictured) revealed he earns up to $200,000 a year installing fire alarms, fire suppression systems and exit signs
The tradie explained that he had to complete a four-year internship before getting the job, but believes it was worth it.
‘We work everywhere. “I worked in prison,” he said.
‘You work in nice, different places.’
However, he admitted that his performance is not all rosy.
When asked whether things can ‘go wrong’ at work, the tradie replied: ‘Massive’.
“If something goes offline, you can’t go home, that’s the only thing.
“You can’t just drop your tools and leave at the end of the day.
“That’s why you get paid the money.”
Fire technicians are responsible for installing fire alarms and exit signs.
They must also install and test extinguishers, hoses, reels, fire hydrants and fire blankets.
The tradie recommended the job for electricians looking for a change of pace.
‘There are a lot of jobs. If you’re ‘sparky’ and want to dive in, give them a call,” he said.
‘There are plenty of jobs available.’
Dozens of commenters were shocked to learn how much the man earned.
“I’m a bubbly FIFO, and I don’t get much,” one person wrote.
‘Sounds good, you have to remember that he doesn’t work from 9 to 5. He travels away and works days of 10 to 24 hours. Night work plus on-call shifts,” says another.
A fellow fire engineer wrote: ‘Sprinkler fire installer $380 per head… 6,000 units at the location we are currently working on.’
Data from Jobs and Skills Australia shows there are 4,100 firefighters employed across Australia.
The average age for this job is 40 years old and only four percent of the workforce is female.
Data from Jobs and Skills Australia shows there are 4,100 firefighters employed across Australia with an average age of 40
“Fire protection equipment technicians install, test and maintain fire protection equipment and systems,” according to Jobs and Skills Australia.
Those wishing to work as a fire engineer will need a Certificate III in Fire Protection Inspection and Testing from the Fire Industry Academy.
The course is delivered in the workplace and participants need a minimum of 12 months of experience maintaining fire protection equipment or systems, or experience in a plumbing, electrical or fire-related job to graduate.
