Fire service officers (watch manager and below) Pay Data UK — 2024

Fire service officers (watch manager and below) roles in the UK earn a median of £40,862 per year, equivalent to £18.30 per hour as of 2024. This represents a 7.9% increase in annual pay compared to the previous year. Pay varies across the UK, ranging from £31,575 to £61,569 per year.

How Pay Varies Across the UK

Each bar shows how many areas of the UK have a median annual pay in that range for Fire service officers (watch manager and below) roles. The dashed line marks the national median.

Based on sub-regional area data. Want a precise figure for your area?

About Fire service officers (watch manager and below)

Fire service officers (watch manager and below) co-ordinate and participate in firefighting activities, provide emergency services in the event of accidents or bomb alerts, and advise on fire prevention.

Typical Tasks and Duties

• inspects premises to identify potential fire hazards and to check that firefighting equipment is available and in working order and that statutory fire safety regulations are met
• arranges fire drills and tests alarm systems and equipment
• travels to fire or other emergency by vehicle and locates water mains if necessary
• operates hose pipes, ladders, chemical, foam, gas or powder fire extinguishing appliances
• rescues people or animals trapped by fire or other emergency situations such as flooding and administers first aid
• removes goods from fire damaged premises, clears excess water, makes safe any structural hazards and takes any other necessary steps to reduce damage to property
• attends and deals with bomb alerts and accidents involving spillage of hazardous substances
• advises on fire safety measures in new buildings
• supervises a watch

Entry Routes and Qualifications

There are no formal academic requirements, although applicants to fire control roles must demonstrate basic literacy and numeracy, keyboard and communication skills. Applicants to fire-fighter roles must pass psychological, physical and medical tests. Some Fire and Rescue Services operate direct entry recruitment processes to managerial operational roles. There is a minimum age limit of 18 years for entry to fire-fighter and control operator roles and DBS checks can be required.

Related Occupations

Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.