Firefighters pay in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk

In Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (VA), the median pay for firefighters is $27.38 an hour ($56,940 a year). About 2,880 people work in this job there.

$27.38Median hourly pay
$46,790–$64,210Middle half of workers, yearly
2,880People in this job in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (VA)

That is 4% lower than the U.S. median ($59,280). It is 3% lower than the Virginia median ($58,670).

Pay range for firefighters in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (VA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$18.67$38,840
25% of workers$22.49$46,790
Half of workers (median)$27.38$56,940
75% of workers$30.87$64,210
90% of workers$36.76$76,460

Firefighters pay in Virginia metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Richmond$60,7902,020
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (this page)$56,9402,880
Staunton-Stuarts Draft$49,41080
Charlottesville$46,860260
Lynchburg$45,450260
Harrisonburg$43,900180
Roanoke$39,310540
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford$38,38060

Virginia unemployment rate: 3.6% (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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (VA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$27,890

Other job titles for this job

Airport FirefighterCrash Fire FirefighterFire Apparatus EngineerFire Chief AideFire Engine Pump OperatorFire EngineerFire Equipment OperatorFire Hydrant OperatorFire Management SpecialistFire MedicFire Rescue TechnicianFire Rescue Tech

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 job
Add this pay figure to your website (free)

Career sites, schools and workforce boards can show this typical pay on their own pages. Copy this code into your page:

<div data-jaibot-pay></div>
<script src="https://www.jaibot.ai/widget/pay/firefighters/virginia/virginia-beach-chesapeake-norfolk.js" async></script>

It updates by itself when new government figures come out.

Source: 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.