by our College Data Analytics Team
[Fire Protection](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/fire-protection/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying fire protection schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send fire protection graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Leading the list is Tarrant County College District, our #1 for fire protection graduate salaries in Texas. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a public institution. Students who complete the fire protection program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,874.
Lone Star College System came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fire protection schools. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a public institution. After graduating, fire protection degree recipients from Lone Star College System typically earn about $66,236 annually.
San Jacinto Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying fire protection schools. San Jacinto Community College is a public school located in the city of Pasadena. Early-career fire protection graduates from San Jacinto Community College make a median of around $61,451 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Navarro College earned it the #4 place for fire protection. Navarro College is a public school located in the town of Corsicana. Early-career fire protection graduates from Navarro College make a median of around $61,379 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at San Antonio College earned it the #5 place for fire protection. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a public institution. Early-career fire protection graduates from San Antonio College make a median of around $60,731 per year.
El Paso Community College earned the #6 position for fire protection graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a public institution. Fire Protection graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of about $61,585 a year early in their careers.
Lamar Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for fire protection. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a public institution. After graduating, fire protection degree recipients from Lamar Institute Of Technology typically earn about $55,778 annually.
Mclennan Community College landed the #8 spot for fire protection salaries this year. Mclennan Community College is a public school located in the city of Waco. After graduating, fire protection degree recipients from Mclennan Community College typically earn about $61,609 annually.
Austin Community College District placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for fire protection. Austin Community College District is a public school located in the city of Austin. Early-career fire protection graduates from Austin Community College District make a median of around $57,562 per year.
Houston Community College landed the #10 spot for fire protection salaries this year. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a public institution. After graduating, fire protection degree recipients from Houston Community College typically earn about $51,611 annually.
Hill College came in at #11 for fire protection graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a public institution. After graduating, fire protection degree recipients from Hill College typically earn about $33,190 annually.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their fire protection graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 11 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.