Seattle Fire Is Hiring Firefighter/EMTs: Applications Close November 17

SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Fire Department is hiring entry-level firefighter/EMTs, and the window to get in line is short. Applications opened October 6 and close Tuesday, November 17, 2026. Miss it and the next chance is a year away. Starting pay is listed at $102,048 and up, there is no fee to apply, and you do not need EMT certification to get started.

Applications close November 17, 2026: one application, two video exams, and a starting salary north of $100,000 for Seattle's next firefighter/EMT class.

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📍 At a Glance

Job	Entry-level Firefighter/EMT, Seattle Fire Department
Application deadline	Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Exam deadline	NTN video exams through Tuesday, November 24, 2026
Starting salary	$102,048+
Cost	Free to apply; $65 for the NTN exams, with hardship waivers available
Minimums	18 or older at hire, high school diploma or GED, valid driver's license, English communication
EMT	Not needed to apply or test; required before a final hire offer
Oral boards	January 20–30, 2027, in Seattle, for the top 1,000 candidates

What Seattle Fire Is Offering

The department's October 6 announcement lays out the package: a starting salary of $102,048 or more, 24-hour shifts, medical, dental and vision coverage, room to move up the ranks, and a LEOFF 2 lifetime retirement pension through Washington's law enforcement and firefighter plan.

No fire experience is required. The bar to get in the door is low on paper; the competition and testing are where it gets hard.

✅ Who Can Apply, and What You Need Before You're Hired

According to the city's 2026–2027 application FAQ, you must be at least 18 at the time of hire, and there is no upper age limit. You need a high school diploma or GED to be hired, plus a valid driver's license. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a DACA recipient, and the city does not sponsor visas.

Two things trip people up later in the process:

EMT certification. You can apply and test without it, but you must have it, or proof you finished the course, before a final offer.
The physical test. Seattle only accepts its own CPAT. A passing CPAT from another department does not count. Scheduling instructions go out after the eligibility list is set.

📋 How the Testing Works

After you file the application, you take two video exams through the National Testing Network, online or at a testing center: FireTEAM and PSSA1. They cost $65, and the FAQ says candidates facing financial hardship can ask for a fee waiver before registering. The exam window runs through November 24, one week after applications close.

Scores are weighted 50% FireTEAM, 25% PSSA1 and 25% oral board. Test scores come out in mid-December. The top 1,000 candidates are invited to in-person oral boards in Seattle, January 20–30, 2027, and the eligibility list is published in February. Qualifying veterans can request preference points. All of the dates are on the city's application and exam dates page.

Seattle Fire's candidate resources page also listed a free King County Fire Chiefs Association Diversity and Recruitment Workshop on Saturday, November 7, covering exam prep, oral boards, fitness and background checks. That workshop has passed. Recruitment questions go to SFD recruitment at 206-733-9462.

Apply through the department's Apply Now page, and do it early.

If Firefighting Isn't the Fit

The Seattle Police Department accepts officer applications year-round, with no set window, according to the city's civil service commission. EMT, ambulance and 911 dispatch work can also build experience for next fall's fire application.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the deadline to apply to the Seattle Fire Department?

Applications for entry-level firefighter/EMT close Tuesday, November 17, 2026. The NTN video exams must be finished by November 24.

How much do Seattle firefighters make to start?

The department lists starting pay at $102,048 or more, with medical, dental and vision coverage and a LEOFF 2 pension.

Do I need to be an EMT to apply?

No. EMT certification is not needed to apply or test, but you must have it, or proof of course completion, before a final hire offer.

Does it cost anything to apply?

The application is free. The two NTN exams cost $65, with hardship waivers available.

If I miss this window, when is the next one?

Seattle Fire opens the entry-level application once a year, so if the schedule holds, the next window would open in fall 2027.

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