Fire Protection at Hutchinson Community College

Hutchinson, KS · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 2,911 in Hutchinson, KS.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $51,007/yr, roughly in line with the $51,103 national median for Fire Protection. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 83.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 34% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Fire Protection graduates.

At #25 out of 37 programs, Hutchinson Community College's financial outcomes for Fire Protection trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $51,007 to $56,793 over five years (11% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 16 registered apprenticeships mapped to Fire Protection, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
73
Score
75
High End
Earnings $51,007/yr (-0% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (66% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (150,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$577K
2.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
84.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,840
Out-of-state: $9,300
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,793
11% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Fire Protection graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers $92,430 +3.4% 58%
Fire inspectors and investigators $78,060 +3.8% 71%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
$92,430
+3.4% growth 58% AI-proof
Fire inspectors and investigators
$78,060
+3.8% growth 71% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Fire Protection Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Fire Protection careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering criminal justice & public safety.

Read the full Fire Protection career guide →

Compare & Explore

Fire Protection Overview

Fire Protection at Other Schools

Other Majors at Hutchinson Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Fire Protection at Hutchinson Community College?
A score of 73/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Hutchinson Community College trails the majority of Fire Protection programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Fire Protection program at Hutchinson Community College?
Beyond Hutchinson Community College's classroom route, 16 registered apprenticeships map to Fire Protection careers — including Arson And Bomb Investigator. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
What's the job market like for Fire Protection from Hutchinson Community College?
The career paths mapped to Fire Protection have roughly 150,900 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →