WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)-18% vs national median424 grads tracked

Fire Protection at McLennan Community College

Ranked 54th of 64 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Fire Protection by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$36,903
middle 50%: $25,301 – $53,317
Median · 5 years out
$58,275
middle 50%: $44,478 – $77,593
Median · 10 years out
$79,368
middle 50%: $56,431 – $97,944

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Fire Protection (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.

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

Fire Protection certificate holders earn a $37k median salary in their first year. Median earnings reach $58k after five years.

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
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,731 total interest

Same major at other universities

Other majors at McLennan Community College

Related fields of study