Firefighter Salary by State (2026): Rookie to Chief Pay Guide
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
Firefighting offers solid pay, exceptional benefits, and meaningful work. Here’s the complete salary picture.
Firefighter Salary by Rank
| Rank |
Median Base |
With Overtime |
Typical Experience |
| Probationary Firefighter |
$45,000 |
$50,000 |
0-1 year |
| Firefighter |
$57,000 |
$70,000 |
1-5 years |
| Firefighter/Paramedic |
$65,000 |
$82,000 |
2+ years |
| Engineer/Driver |
$68,000 |
$85,000 |
5+ years |
| Lieutenant |
$75,000 |
$92,000 |
8+ years |
| Captain |
$85,000 |
$105,000 |
12+ years |
| Battalion Chief |
$100,000 |
$120,000 |
15+ years |
| Deputy Chief |
$115,000 |
$130,000 |
20+ years |
| Fire Chief |
$140,000 |
N/A |
25+ years |
Overtime significantly increases total compensation, especially with 24/48 or Kelly schedules.
Firefighter Salary by State
| Rank |
State |
Mean Salary |
Starting |
With OT |
| 1 |
California |
$84,000 |
$55,000 |
$110,000 |
| 2 |
New Jersey |
$80,000 |
$50,000 |
$100,000 |
| 3 |
Washington |
$75,000 |
$50,000 |
$92,000 |
| 4 |
Nevada |
$72,000 |
$48,000 |
$88,000 |
| 5 |
New York |
$70,000 |
$43,000 |
$90,000 |
| 6 |
Connecticut |
$69,000 |
$48,000 |
$85,000 |
| 7 |
Illinois |
$68,000 |
$45,000 |
$85,000 |
| 8 |
Massachusetts |
$67,000 |
$45,000 |
$82,000 |
| 9 |
Hawaii |
$66,000 |
$48,000 |
$78,000 |
| 10 |
Oregon |
$65,000 |
$45,000 |
$80,000 |
| — |
National |
$57,000 |
$38,000 |
$70,000 |
| 45 |
Arkansas |
$38,000 |
$28,000 |
$45,000 |
| 46 |
West Virginia |
$37,000 |
$26,000 |
$43,000 |
| 47 |
Mississippi |
$36,000 |
$25,000 |
$42,000 |
| 48 |
South Dakota |
$35,000 |
$26,000 |
$40,000 |
| 49 |
Louisiana |
$35,000 |
$26,000 |
$42,000 |
| 50 |
Puerto Rico |
$28,000 |
$22,000 |
$32,000 |
Paramedic vs. EMT Firefighter Pay
| Certification |
Pay Premium |
Typical Salary |
| EMT-Basic |
Baseline |
$52,000-$62,000 |
| EMT-Advanced |
+5-10% |
$55,000-$68,000 |
| Paramedic |
+15-25% |
$60,000-$80,000 |
| Flight Paramedic |
+25-40% |
$70,000-$95,000 |
Most departments prefer or require paramedic certification for new hires.
Federal vs. State vs. Local Firefighter Pay
| Level |
Starting |
Median |
Top |
| Federal (Wildland) |
$42,000 |
$55,000 |
$75,000+ |
| Federal (Military Base) |
$45,000 |
$60,000 |
$80,000+ |
| State (Cal Fire) |
$52,000 |
$72,000 |
$95,000+ |
| Large City |
$50,000 |
$70,000 |
$100,000+ |
| Suburban |
$45,000 |
$62,000 |
$85,000+ |
| Small Town |
$32,000 |
$45,000 |
$65,000 |
| Volunteer (paid-per-call) |
$5,000-$15,000 |
Stipend only |
N/A |
Specialty Pay for Firefighters
| Assignment |
Extra Pay |
Annual Total |
| Hazmat Technician |
+$2,000-$5,000 |
$59,000-$75,000 |
| Technical Rescue |
+$2,000-$4,000 |
$59,000-$72,000 |
| Dive Team |
+$1,500-$4,000 |
$58,500-$72,000 |
| Arson Investigator |
+$5,000-$12,000 |
$62,000-$85,000 |
| Fire Inspector |
+$3,000-$8,000 |
$60,000-$78,000 |
| Wildland (seasonal) |
+$10,000-$30,000 |
Seasonal earnings |
| Training Officer |
+$2,000-$5,000 |
$59,000-$75,000 |
Firefighter Benefits (Total Compensation)
| Benefit |
Value |
Notes |
| Pension (20-25 years) |
50-75% salary |
For life |
| Health insurance |
$12,000-$25,000/yr |
Family coverage |
| Overtime availability |
+$10,000-$30,000/yr |
Extra shifts |
| Schedule (24/48 or similar) |
Work flexibility |
~10 days/month |
| Deferred compensation |
Tax-advantaged |
457 plan |
| Life insurance |
$100,000-$300,000 |
Often includes LODD benefits |
| Disability insurance |
66% salary |
If injured |
| Paid time off |
200-400+ hrs |
Kelly days + vacation |
How Firefighters Earn $100K+
| Method |
Additional Income |
| Overtime shifts |
+$15,000-$35,000 |
| Paramedic premium |
+$5,000-$12,000 |
| Specialty pay (hazmat, etc.) |
+$2,000-$8,000 |
| Promote to captain |
+$15,000-$25,000 |
| Move to high-paying state |
+$20,000-$40,000 |
| Holiday pay |
+$3,000-$6,000 |
Many experienced firefighters in California, NY, NJ earn $100,000-$150,000+ with overtime.
Firefighter Work Schedule Value
| Schedule |
Work Days/Month |
Days Off |
Effective Hourly |
| 24/48 |
10 |
20 |
Higher (long shifts) |
| Kelly (24/48 /24/96) |
9-10 |
20-21 |
Higher |
| 48/96 |
10 |
20 |
Higher |
| Traditional 40-hr |
20 |
10 |
Standard |
The unique schedule allows firefighters to work second jobs or pursue education.
Firefighter Career Path
| Stage |
Timeline |
Salary Range |
| Academy |
3-6 months |
$35,000-$50,000 |
| Probationary |
1 year |
$42,000-$58,000 |
| Firefighter |
1-5 years |
$50,000-$70,000 |
| Firefighter/Paramedic |
2+ years |
$58,000-$82,000 |
| Engineer |
5-10 years |
$62,000-$85,000 |
| Lieutenant |
8-15 years |
$72,000-$95,000 |
| Captain |
12-20 years |
$82,000-$110,000 |
| Battalion Chief |
15-25 years |
$95,000-$125,000 |
| Chief |
20+ years |
$110,000-$200,000 |
How to Become a Firefighter
| Requirement |
Details |
| Age |
18-35 (varies by department) |
| Education |
High school diploma (college preferred) |
| Certifications needed |
EMT (minimum), Paramedic (preferred) |
| Physical fitness |
CPAT test required |
| Background check |
Clean criminal record |
| Competition |
100-1,000+ applicants per position |
The firefighter hiring process is highly competitive; paramedic certification significantly improves chances.
Firefighter Pension Value
Assuming retirement at 25 years with $65K salary:
| State |
Pension % |
Annual Pension |
Lifetime Value* |
| California |
75% |
$48,750 |
$1.2M |
| New York |
50% |
$32,500 |
$815K |
| Texas |
60% |
$39,000 |
$975K |
| Illinois |
75% |
$48,750 |
$1.2M |
Present value assuming 25-year retirement period.
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