Firefighters pay in Kentucky
In Kentucky, the median pay for firefighters is $17.86 an hour ($37,150 a year). About 5,150 people work in this job there.
That is 37% lower than the U.S. median ($59,280). Kentucky ranks 48th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for firefighters in Kentucky
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.40 | $27,870 |
| 25% of workers | $16.05 | $33,390 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.86 | $37,150 |
| 75% of workers | $23.13 | $48,120 |
| 90% of workers | $29.19 | $60,720 |
Firefighters pay in Kentucky metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $45,160 | 1,640 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $36,490 | 940 |
| Bowling Green | $35,240 | 250 |
| Elizabethtown | $34,030 | 130 |
Kentucky unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $36,800 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,520 |
| Paramedics | $49,890 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $60,850 |
Other job titles for this job
Open firefighters jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring firefighters? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.