Thank you for your interest in becoming a Fire Cadet for the Austin Fire Department. You can learn more about us at JoinAFD.
Please visit the Hiring Process Updates page to stay on top of current activities for the 2024 Fire Cadet hiring process.
Cadet starting pay is $21/hour ($43,680, annually). After successful completion of our Academy (approximately 6 months), Probationary Firefighters will earn $55,259, annually.
To determine whether you are qualified to apply, please review our minimum qualifications and our disqualification information. Be sure to also review the fitness expectations for a Fire Cadet.
For other City of Austin employment opportunities, please refer to Austin City Jobs.
- Fire Cadet Hiring Process
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The 2024 Hiring Process Updates page provides guidance on eligibility requirements and fitness expectations and an overview of the hiring process with status updates.
- Fitness Preparation Tips
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The Cadet Fitness Preparation page offers potential candidates with tips to prepare for the fire cadet hiring process.
- Fire Employment Disqualifications
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The Fire Employment Disqualifications page provides information on alcohol and drug testing, criminal background checks and tattoos and tunnels that is relevent to potential applicants. Please note that the Austin Fire Department will not answer questions regarding an individual's potential eligibility.
- After the Exam
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The AFD Hiring Process Updates page provides information about combined scoring and ranked hiring for individuals currently involved in the cadet hiring process.
- Contact Us
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E-mail FireEmployment@austintexas.gov with questions related to the hiring process.
The Austin Fire Department (AFD) is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. AFD is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, e-mail FireEmployment@austintexas.gov.
The Austin Fire Department (AFD) understands that Black, Indigenous, and other People Of Color (BIPOC) have historically been underrepresented in the Department due to structural and systemic racism. This discrimination is not reflective of the direction the Department is going nor a true representation of the Austin community. AFD is committed to centering people of color to ensure there is equitable access to opportunities within AFD, and to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to be their full, authentic selves. To advance equitable outcomes for the community, AFD will lead with a lens of racial equity and healing to ensure hard-to-reach and directly impacted communities receive the resources they need. Race is the primary predictor of life outcomes and we must address racism at its various levels to ensure Austin is a racially equitable city where everyone has a sustainable quality of life.