The national median firefighter salary is $59,000 in 2026. Where you work — California vs. Mississippi — makes a $63,000 difference. Here’s the complete 50-state breakdown plus what drives firefighter pay.
Firefighter Salary by State 2026 — All 50 States
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $95,090 | $52,390 | $85,120 |
| 2 | Washington | $89,200 | $47,640 | $94,520 |
| 3 | New York | $87,150 | $56,390 | $100,960 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $85,810 | $47,920 | $84,130 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $79,550 | $61,050 | $75,870 |
| 6 | Colorado | $78,380 | $47,000 | $74,170 |
| 7 | Illinois | $76,530 | $38,900 | $78,380 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $73,760 | $51,320 | $77,630 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $73,220 | $49,730 | $72,800 |
| 10 | Maryland | $72,550 | $48,030 | $73,810 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $71,340 | $48,620 | $73,460 |
| 12 | Oregon | $71,290 | $38,800 | $70,900 |
| 13 | Nevada | $70,510 | $47,600 | $66,570 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $67,480 | $56,110 | $67,380 |
| 15 | Indiana | $62,420 | $38,460 | $62,780 |
| 16 | Florida | $61,370 | $37,260 | $58,550 |
| 17 | Arizona | $60,850 | $36,700 | $59,280 |
| 18 | Texas | $60,390 | $40,020 | $60,180 |
| 19 | Alaska | $59,190 | $35,520 | $58,830 |
| 20 | Nebraska | $59,190 | $46,660 | $61,040 |
| 21 | Virginia | $58,240 | $38,310 | $58,670 |
| 22 | Ohio | $58,130 | $34,420 | $59,370 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $57,980 | $39,700 | $55,080 |
| 24 | Montana | $57,660 | $32,810 | $59,310 |
| 25 | Iowa | $57,240 | $32,240 | $55,810 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $56,800 | $39,550 | $58,090 |
| 27 | Michigan | $56,250 | $37,190 | $54,640 |
| 28 | New Hampshire | $55,730 | $35,450 | $56,620 |
| 29 | Missouri | $55,240 | $31,140 | $49,080 |
| 30 | Idaho | $54,470 | $30,280 | $47,320 |
| 31 | Delaware | $53,420 | $41,960 | $46,710 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $52,280 | $31,620 | $49,710 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $51,590 | $33,910 | $49,300 |
| 34 | Utah | $51,270 | $27,660 | $48,310 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $51,180 | $39,240 | $48,160 |
| 36 | Wisconsin | $50,710 | $29,390 | $46,850 |
| 37 | Maine | $50,230 | $35,740 | $48,290 |
| 38 | Alabama | $49,720 | $29,770 | $47,600 |
| 39 | Vermont | $49,570 | $29,790 | $46,430 |
| 40 | Kansas | $49,110 | $32,810 | $45,900 |
| 41 | Georgia | $47,170 | $33,000 | $46,550 |
| 42 | Minnesota | $45,170 | $27,510 | $38,110 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $43,900 | $29,130 | $42,570 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $43,380 | $28,680 | $39,690 |
| 45 | New Mexico | $43,180 | $31,200 | $41,590 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $43,060 | $29,360 | $37,940 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $42,100 | $27,870 | $37,150 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $40,100 | $29,020 | $37,350 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $37,230 | $26,850 | $35,880 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $36,610 | $22,510 | $33,120 |
| — | National | $63,630 | $34,910 | $59,280 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-08-25. Figures cover Firefighters (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Firefighter Salary by Rank
| Rank | National Average | Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Probationary Firefighter | $40,000 | $30,000–$54,000 |
| Firefighter (entry) | $52,000 | $38,000–$68,000 |
| Firefighter (5+ years) | $62,000 | $48,000–$82,000 |
| Fire Driver/Engineer | $68,000 | $52,000–$90,000 |
| Lieutenant | $80,000 | $62,000–$105,000 |
| Captain | $95,000 | $75,000–$125,000 |
| Battalion Chief | $110,000 | $85,000–$145,000 |
| Fire Chief | $130,000 | $90,000–$220,000+ |
Firefighter Salary by Specialization
| Specialization | Avg Salary | Premium over Base |
|---|---|---|
| Firefighter (General) | $59,000 | Baseline |
| Firefighter/EMT | $63,000 | +7% |
| Firefighter/Paramedic | $70,000 | +19% |
| Fire Inspector | $72,000 | +22% |
| Hazmat Specialist | $76,000 | +29% |
| Wildland Firefighter | $50,000 | −15% |
| Aircraft Rescue (ARFF) | $74,000 | +25% |
Firefighter Total Compensation
| Compensation Component | Annual Value |
|---|---|
| Base salary | $48,000–$90,000 |
| Overtime (shift structure creates frequent OT) | $8,000–$30,000 |
| Pension contribution (employer) | $8,000–$18,000 |
| Health/dental/vision (employer) | $14,000–$22,000 |
| Life / disability insurance | $1,500–$3,500 |
| EMT/paramedic certification pay | $2,000–$8,000 |
| Total estimated compensation | $82,000–$172,000 |
How to Increase Your Firefighter Salary
| Strategy | Potential Annual Increase |
|---|---|
| Earn paramedic certification | +$5,000–$12,000 |
| Earn a promotion (Lieutenant) | +$15,000–$25,000 |
| Work overtime (extremely common) | +$10,000–$30,000 |
| Specialize in hazmat or ARFF | +$8,000–$18,000 |
| Relocate to CA, NJ, or WA | +$25,000–$50,000 |
| Move to a larger metro department | +$10,000–$25,000 |
| Earn a degree (many departments pay incentive) | +$2,000–$6,000 |
Related: Firefighter Salary | Police Officer Salary by State | Average Salary by State
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “May 2025 OES — Firefighters (33-2011).” bls.gov/oes/current/oes332011.htm
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook — Firefighters.” bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/firefighters.htm
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