Firefighting offers solid pay, exceptional benefits, and meaningful work. Here’s the complete salary picture.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for firefighters, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $34,910 | $16.78 |
| 25th | $44,490 | $21.39 |
| 50th (median) | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| 75th | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| 90th | $101,040 | $48.58 |
| Average (mean) | $63,630 | $30.59 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Firefighters (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
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 | 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 2026-09-29. Figures cover Firefighters (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
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:
For current pay in every state, see the BLS state table on this page.
Present value assuming 25-year retirement period.
Related: Police Officer Salary | Average Income by Occupation | Income Percentile Calculator
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Is It a Good Career?
Advantages
- Job security — Very difficult to be laid off once hired. Protected by unions and civil service.
- Meaningful work — Direct impact on community safety. Genuine life-saving moments.
- Team culture — Strong brotherhood/sisterhood. Lifelong friendships. Station is second family.
- Health benefits — Excellent coverage for family, often continuing into retirement.
Disadvantages
- Physical danger — Risk of death, burns, crush injuries. Cancer rates elevated from smoke exposure.
- Trauma exposure — Car accidents, deaths, child injuries take mental toll.
- Physical demands — Must maintain fitness. Injuries can end careers.
- Politics/bureaucracy — Department politics, promotion competition, civil service rules.
Good fit for
- You’re physically fit and enjoy staying that way — Job requires ongoing physical capability.
- You can handle high-stress emergency situations — Split-second decisions under pressure are routine.
- You want meaningful work over maximum pay — Purpose-driven career with moderate income.
- You’re patient with competitive hiring — May take years to get hired.
Poor fit for
- You have physical limitations — The job is demanding and can’t be done from a desk.
- You can’t deal with workplace politics — Promotion is competitive, seniority matters.
- You want to work independently — Firefighting is fundamentally team-based.
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