Firefighters pay in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the median pay for firefighters is $18.24 an hour ($37,940 a year). About 19,410 people work in this job there.
That is 36% lower than the U.S. median ($59,280). North Carolina ranks 46th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for firefighters in North Carolina
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.12 | $29,360 |
| 25% of workers | $16.35 | $34,010 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.24 | $37,940 |
| 75% of workers | $22.93 | $47,690 |
| 90% of workers | $29.78 | $61,940 |
Firefighters pay in North Carolina metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $47,870 | 340 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $46,600 | 1,970 |
| Rocky Mount | $46,210 | 220 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $45,640 | 2,510 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $38,700 | 4,700 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $38,350 | 1,220 |
| Asheville | $37,450 | 890 |
| Fayetteville | $36,820 | 850 |
| Burlington | $36,520 | 240 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $36,340 | 810 |
| Winston-Salem | $35,730 | 990 |
| Wilmington | $35,580 | 780 |
| Goldsboro | $35,500 | 100 |
| Greenville | $34,430 | 200 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | $34,200 | 190 |
North Carolina unemployment rate: 3.5% (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 North Carolina
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $44,250 |
| Paramedics | $57,320 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,560 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,310 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $66,820 |
Other job titles for this job
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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.