Firefighters pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for firefighters is $28.50 an hour ($59,280 a year). About 345,990 people work in this job there.
Pay range for firefighters in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.79 | $34,910 |
| 25% of workers | $21.39 | $44,490 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.50 | $59,280 |
| 75% of workers | $37.14 | $77,250 |
| 90% of workers | $48.58 | $101,040 |
Best-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 | 12,950 |
| Washington | $94,520 | 7,560 |
| California | $85,120 | 31,470 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 | 7,500 |
| Illinois | $78,380 | 18,400 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 | 2,970 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 | 1,480 |
| Colorado | $74,170 | 6,510 |
| Maryland | $73,810 | 5,340 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 | 5,020 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $47,600
- Alaska · $58,830
- Arizona · $59,280
- Arkansas · $39,690
- California · $85,120
- Colorado · $74,170
- Connecticut · $77,630
- Delaware · $46,710
- District of Columbia · $75,870
- Florida · $58,550
- Georgia · $46,550
- Idaho · $47,320
- Illinois · $78,380
- Indiana · $62,780
- Iowa · $55,810
- Kansas · $45,900
- Kentucky · $37,150
- Louisiana · $33,120
- Maine · $48,290
- Maryland · $73,810
- Massachusetts · $72,800
- Michigan · $54,640
- Minnesota · $38,110
- Mississippi · $35,880
- Missouri · $49,080
- Montana · $59,310
- Nebraska · $61,040
- Nevada · $66,570
- New Hampshire · $56,620
- New Jersey · $84,130
- New Mexico · $41,590
- New York · $100,960
- North Carolina · $37,940
- North Dakota · $55,080
- Ohio · $59,370
- Oklahoma · $49,710
- Oregon · $70,900
- Pennsylvania · $73,460
- Rhode Island · $67,380
- South Carolina · $42,570
- South Dakota · $48,160
- Tennessee · $49,300
- Texas · $60,180
- Utah · $48,310
- Virginia · $58,670
- Washington · $94,520
- West Virginia · $37,350
- Wisconsin · $46,850
- Wyoming · $58,090
Education, experience and outlook for firefighters
- Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +3.7% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 26,800 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.