Loved his line "firefighters don't earn a lot". What a jerk! Tell that to someone working retail or food service or a host of other low paying jobs. Firefighters are well paid. Not doctor well paid but way up there on the food chain.
shareSeriously? It depends on where he is a firefighter at, you would be surprised at what some firefighters make for a job where you are risking your life and health. Our fire fighters had all their raises frozen for years because of the city budget and on top of that they have to pay an absurd amount for Health Insurance because of the potential risk of their jobs. Now who's the jerk?
shareI had the reaction the OP had. He should have just stopped with "I want seed money for my wife's business" In a way, I understand what's going on. Adam is going to ask the contestant some sort of question like that every round.
You make a valid point about jurisdiction. I haven't looked at national stats, but where I live they make six figures to start.
--Will.
In the USA most paid firefighters make 40 to 50k. I've never heard of one making "6 firgures" though I'm sure it's happened.
shareTell that to someone working retail or food service or a host of other low paying jobs.
Firefighters are well paid.
My oldest brother is a firefighter and it's a very difficult job to get into. They don't hire just anyone, he was put through multiple physical and mental tests before he was hired. He is an ex Marine, so if he said they were difficult tests, believe me they were. As was mentioned, they are risking their lives to protect others and their property. It's not the kind of job that a person simply fills out an application and gets hired, like retail or food service. As for being "well paid" I've lived in several states, been friends with firefighters, and the average starting salary was around $50,000. These people are risking their lives for 50K. They aren't flipping burgers or selling someone a blouse. Also, I would like to know where in the US firefighters make 6 figure salaries.
sharehttp://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/mehlville-fire-district-newsletter-has-officials-on-defensive-about-pay/article_e70eb011-605c-549c-8c16-b2fc4b390d20.html
I know some of you won't read, so here's the gist
"• Creve Coeur's average pay was $123,634, with an additional $47,478 spent on benefits.
• Pattonville's average pay was $108,403, with $41,946 more for benefits.
• Metro West firefighters earned an average of $99,623 in wages, with $37,374 more spent on benefits,
• Mehlville firefighters made an average of $87,757, with $26,655 more in benefits.
--Will.
I read the article from beginning to end. Very interesting, but what I said in my comment was that I have never known a firefighter whose starting salary was 6 figures. Every firefighter I've known started in the $50,000 range. The cost of living and salaries vary wildly in the US. Thank you posting the article, though.
shareThe contestant said firefighters "don't earn a lot" as the OP mentioned. Although, I don't think he was overdoing it like I've seen on some other shows like ::cough::chopped::cough:: It is not like he was lying. I'm sure he did not have the money to fund any of the things he mentioned he would do if he won.
Would your brother or any other firefighter you know say they were underpaid? I'm sure most people would say they are. So, based off your experience talking to firefighters, are they making more than the average person in that area? Are they able to raise a family comfortably?
--Will.
Good questions. I would say that they love their jobs and don't really complain about salary. It seems like many firefighters are ex military, so they are used to making sacrifices. They make more than some of the average incomes yes, but many are the sole workers in their families and it is a highly skilled, dangerous profession. My brother has a regular middle class life, but there are certainly no luxuries!
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