WhatGradsMake
Associate-34% vs national median48 grads tracked

Fire Protection at Parkland College

Ranked 97th of 101 associate programs in Fire Protection by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$33,162
middle 50%: $22,905 – $49,855
Median · 5 years out
$54,051
middle 50%: $34,351 – $72,242
Median · 10 years out
$77,273
middle 50%: $57,619 – $88,826

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Fire Protection (associate) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Parkland College's associate program in Fire Protection earn a median $33,162 one year after graduating, rising to $77,273 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 34% below the national median of $81,295 for this field, ranking 97th of 101 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
7.8 yrs
≈ $9,579 total interest

Same major at other universities

Onondaga Community College
$64,257 · 5 yrs out
Owens Community College
$63,548 · 5 yrs out
Helena College University of Montana
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Erie Community College
$61,498 · 5 yrs out
Vincennes University
$60,590 · 5 yrs out
University of Akron (The)
$60,484 · 5 yrs out
Ozarks Technical Community College
$53,767 · 5 yrs out
Hawaii Community College
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Western Dakota Technical College
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
SUNY Broome Community College
$50,919 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Parkland College

Construction Trades (Certificate)
$105,907 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$75,158 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$75,158 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$71,774 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Certificate)
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$63,723 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$63,208 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$62,468 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$61,926 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$60,508 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$59,120 · 5 yrs out

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