Firefighters earn a median annual salary of approximately $56,880, or about $27.35 per hour, according to 2024 BLS data for SOC 33-2011.
This median reflects the broad middle of the profession, though total compensation — including overtime pay, shift differentials, hazard pay, and generous public-sector benefit packages — often makes the effective value of firefighter employment meaningfully higher than base salary alone.
The occupation is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, roughly in line with the national average, with the BLS estimating approximately 26,800 job openings per year on average.
Pay varies by geographic location, municipality size, union membership, rank, and years of service.
For public-safety career comparison, the EMT salary and the paramedic salary are the most closely related occupational benchmarks.
Firefighters in densely populated cities with strong unions and high costs of living typically earn more than those in smaller municipalities or volunteer-supplemented departments.
Federal firefighters and wildland firefighters may fall under different pay schedules.
Firefighter Salary Overview (2026)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, firefighters (SOC 33-2011) earned a median annual wage of approximately $56,880 as of 2024 BLS data. The median hourly rate was approximately $27.35.
The median wage reflects the midpoint of reported firefighter salaries.
The mean (average) wage may be higher, as firefighters in large urban departments with significant overtime earn considerably more than their counterparts in smaller departments.
Note that firefighter compensation also typically includes overtime, pension benefits, and other non-salary components not fully captured by wage data alone.
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | ~$30,000 | ~$14.42 |
| 25th | ~$40,000 | ~$19.23 |
| 50th (Median) | ~$56,880 | ~$27.35 |
| 75th | ~$80,000 | ~$38.46 |
| 90th | ~$106,000 | ~$50.96 |
To see exactly how wages like $27 an hour translate to annual, monthly, and after-tax take-home, our guide on $27 an hour is how much a year breaks down every pay period. For other rates in the range above, browse our hourly wage conversion guide index.
Firefighter Pay by Experience Level
Firefighter pay is typically governed by step-pay schedules negotiated through collective bargaining agreements.
New hires — often called probationary firefighters — begin at the bottom of the pay scale, and salaries increase at regular intervals (commonly annually) as they gain experience.
Promotion to Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, or higher ranks carries additional pay increases.
| Experience / Rank | Estimated Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Probationary Firefighter (0–1 year) | $32,000 – $48,000 |
| Firefighter (2–7 years) | $48,000 – $72,000 |
| Senior Firefighter / Engineer | $65,000 – $90,000 |
| Lieutenant / Captain / Battalion Chief | $80,000 – $140,000+ |
These ranges are estimates based on 2024 BLS data and publicly available department pay schedules. Overtime and secondary compensation can push total earnings well above base salary figures.
Specialty and Credential Differences
Firefighters who hold additional certifications — such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B), Advanced EMT, or Paramedic — often earn a pay differential on top of their base firefighter salary.
The paramedic salary and the EMT salary show what these credentials translate to in standalone roles.
Many urban departments require fire suppression personnel to be dual-certified as firefighter-paramedics, and these roles typically command higher pay.
Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) technicians, technical rescue specialists, and wildland firefighters with national Incident Command credentials may also receive assignment pay or specialty bonuses.
Firefighter Salary by State and Region
Firefighter wages vary significantly by state and metropolitan area.
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, California, New Jersey, and Washington tend to report the highest median wages for firefighters, with some large California departments reporting median wages well above $100,000 when overtime is included.
New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago are among the highest-paying individual departments in the country.
Firefighters in rural areas, small towns, or states with lower costs of living may earn significantly less — sometimes in the $35,000–$48,000 range for base salary.
The cost of living in California and the cost of living in New York are key context for understanding why departments in those states pay significantly above the national median.
Many smaller communities rely partly on volunteer firefighters to supplement paid staff, which can affect staffing structures and the wages offered to career firefighters.
Federal firefighters — including those with the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management — are paid on the General Schedule (GS) or Wage Grade (WG) pay scale, which differs from local government pay structures.
Factors That Affect Firefighter Pay
Firefighter compensation is shaped by several factors, including municipality size, union representation, rank, and the types of duties performed.
Union Membership
Most career firefighters belong to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), which negotiates collective bargaining agreements that typically include step pay increases, overtime provisions, hazard pay, and pension contributions.
Union firefighters should still understand retirement contribution strategies to supplement pension benefits, particularly for post-retirement income security.
Union membership is strongly associated with higher wages and more comprehensive benefits in the firefighting profession.
Municipality Size and Location
Larger municipalities and cities with higher costs of living tend to offer higher firefighter salaries. Departments in California, New York, and New Jersey consistently rank among the highest-paying. Smaller rural departments may offer lower base salaries but may also carry lower costs of living.
Overtime and Shift Work
Firefighters typically work 24-hour shifts, and overtime is common when departments are understaffed.
In many departments, overtime pay can add 20%–40% or more to annual base salary.
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) includes special overtime provisions for fire protection personnel (Section 207(k)), which affects how overtime is calculated.
Benefits and Pension
Firefighter total compensation typically includes defined benefit pension plans, health insurance, and disability coverage that may represent substantial additional value.
Pension multipliers for firefighters are often more generous than those for other public employees, reflecting the physically demanding and hazardous nature of the work.
When evaluating firefighter pay, the full benefits package — not just base salary — is an important consideration.
Firefighters benefit from tracking average net worth by age benchmarks and building a high-yield savings account for emergency reserves separate from pension assets.
Firefighter Career Outlook
The employment outlook for firefighters is stable.
According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, firefighter employment is projected to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, in line with the national average for all occupations.
The BLS estimates approximately 26,800 job openings per year on average over the decade, primarily driven by the need to replace firefighters who retire or leave the profession.
While the total number of career firefighter positions is relatively stable in most jurisdictions, demand for firefighters with emergency medical and wildland firefighting skills continues to grow.
Firefighters building long-term wealth should supplement pension assets with a Roth IRA and track average net worth by age benchmarks relative to their career stage.
Climate-related increases in wildfire activity — particularly in the western United States — have elevated demand for wildland firefighters and those with Incident Management Team credentials.
Some jurisdictions are also adding positions in response to increased emergency medical service call volume, which now constitutes the majority of calls in many urban departments.
Firefighters planning for retirement should review retirement savings targets alongside pension projections.
Understanding salary negotiation matters most at promotion decisions — moving from firefighter to lieutenant rank is a meaningful opportunity to advocate for top-step placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for a firefighter?
According to 2024 BLS data, firefighters (SOC 33-2011) earned a median annual wage of approximately $56,880, or about $27.35 per hour.
Total compensation — including overtime, benefits, and pension — is often higher than the base salary figure alone.
The EMT salary and the paramedic salary are useful comparisons for the emergency response career family.
How much do firefighters make in overtime?
Overtime can add substantially to a firefighter's annual income. In many departments — particularly in large urban areas — overtime may add 20%–50% or more to base salary. Actual overtime amounts vary by department staffing levels, local collective bargaining agreements, and individual assignments.
Do firefighter-paramedics earn more than firefighters?
Yes, typically. Firefighters who are also certified as paramedics often receive a pay differential on top of their base firefighter salary. In some departments, dual certification as firefighter-paramedic is required for hire and is built into the base pay scale.
The premium varies by department and collective bargaining agreement.
How does a firefighter's pension compare to other professions?
Firefighter pensions — typically defined benefit plans administered by state or local retirement systems — are generally more generous than those offered to most private-sector workers.
Many plans provide retirement benefits after 20–25 years of service, with a pension calculated as a percentage of final salary multiplied by years of service.
The specific terms vary by jurisdiction.
What is the job growth outlook for firefighters?
The BLS projects 4% employment growth for firefighters from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 26,800 openings per year.
Most openings will arise from retirements and attrition.
Demand for wildland firefighting and emergency medical capabilities within fire departments may grow at a faster rate in certain regions.
Firefighters considering moves to higher-paying departments should review salary negotiation strategies that apply even within civil service frameworks, and tracking retirement savings targets ensures pension income will meet post-career needs.
Sources & References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Firefighters (SOC 33-2011). May 2024. — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes332011.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Firefighters. 2024–2025 Edition. — https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/firefighters.htm
- O*NET OnLine. Firefighters (33-2011.01). National Center for O*NET Development. — https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-2011.01
Last updated: April 27, 2026