Houston Mayor Approves Firefighter Cadets Pay Increase

From the City of Houston:

February 26 2020

HOUSTON- The Houston Fire Department has increased starting pay for firefighter cadets to boost recruiting in a competitive job market. Beginning this month, the firefighter cadets will be paid $36,000 compared to the previous salary of $28,023. The increase in pay took effect February 8, 2020.
Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña requested the increase, which was approved by Mayor Sylvester Turner.

"The Fire Cadet classification is outside of the fire collective bargaining group and the pay rate had been stagnant since 2001. I want to thank Mayor Turner for approving the requested increase. Here in Houston, we are up against strong competition not only from surrounding fire departments who are moving from volunteer to paid firefighters, but from an overall strong labor market, a robust economy and more Houstonians with jobs today. The approved Cadet pay rate is a significant increase, but in a competitive market, it is an investment in attracting and recruiting good people," said Sam Peña Houston Fire Chief.

Anyone interested in applying to be a Firefighter Cadet can contact HFDCareers.org.

This press release was produced by the City of Houston. The views expressed here are the author’s own.