Firefighter Salary
Firefighters respond to fires, natural disasters, and medical emergencies. They rescue individuals, operate firefighting equipment, and conduct fire prevention inspections.
Firefighter Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level firefighters earn around $32,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $52,000. Senior-level firefighters can earn $82,000 or more.
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Check Your Rate — No Credit Impact →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for firefighters varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $29,600, while the top 10% earn $92,800.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $29,600 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,600 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $51,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $71,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 |
Firefighter Salary by State
Firefighter salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $87,856, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $42,894.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $87,856 | Details → |
| #2 California | $71,318 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $69,768 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $64,083 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $63,050 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $59,432 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $59,432 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $57,882 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $56,848 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $56,848 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $54,264 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $54,264 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $54,264 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $53,747 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $52,197 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $52,197 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $50,646 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $50,646 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $50,130 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $50,130 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $50,130 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $50,130 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $49,613 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $49,096 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $49,096 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $48,579 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $48,062 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $48,062 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $47,546 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $47,546 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $47,546 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $47,546 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $47,029 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $46,512 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $46,512 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $46,512 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $46,512 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $46,512 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $45,995 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $45,995 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $45,995 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $45,478 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $45,478 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $44,962 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $44,962 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $44,962 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $44,445 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $43,411 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $43,411 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $42,894 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Firefighters who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $30,320 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Respond to fire alarms and emergency calls
- ● Operate firefighting equipment and vehicles
- ● Rescue people from burning buildings and accident scenes
- ● Conduct fire safety inspections and public education
- ● Maintain equipment and participate in training drills
Top Skills
Education Required
Postsecondary nondegree award
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 4% growth over the next decade
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