How much does a firefighter make? Firefighter salary and hourly pay
A firefighter in the US earns a median of $59,280 a year, about $28.50 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,910 and the top 10% earn over $101,040. Pay depends heavily on the state: the top-paying state, New York, has a median of $100,960.
Firefighter pay calculator
Gross pay before taxes. If you enter your own hourly rate, it replaces the BLS figure. Otherwise hourly rate = BLS annual figure ÷ 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the same convention BLS uses.
How much does a firefighter make an hour?
The median firefighter earns $28.50 an hour. Hourly pay ranges from about $16.79 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48.58 for the highest-paid 10%.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (bottom 10%) | $34,910 | $16.79 |
| Lower 25% | $44,490 | $21.39 |
| Median (typical) | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Upper 25% | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Top 10% | $101,040 | $48.58 |
Firefighter salary by state
Median annual pay for firefighters in every state, from BLS May 2025 data.
| State | Median per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,600 | $22.88 |
| Alaska | $58,830 | $28.28 |
| Arizona | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Arkansas | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| California | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| Colorado | $74,170 | $35.66 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| Delaware | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| Florida | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Georgia | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Hawaii | Not published | – |
| Idaho | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Illinois | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| Indiana | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Iowa | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| Kansas | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Kentucky | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Louisiana | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| Maine | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| Maryland | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| Massachusetts | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| Michigan | $54,640 | $26.27 |
| Minnesota | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| Mississippi | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Missouri | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Montana | $59,310 | $28.51 |
| Nebraska | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| Nevada | $66,570 | $32.00 |
| New Hampshire | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 | $40.45 |
| New Mexico | $41,590 | $20.00 |
| New York | $100,960 | $48.54 |
| North Carolina | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| North Dakota | $55,080 | $26.48 |
| Ohio | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Oklahoma | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| Oregon | $70,900 | $34.09 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| Rhode Island | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| South Carolina | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| South Dakota | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Tennessee | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| Texas | $60,180 | $28.93 |
| Utah | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Vermont | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Virginia | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Washington | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| West Virginia | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Wisconsin | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Wyoming | $58,090 | $27.93 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
- New York: $100,960 median
- Washington: $94,520 median
- California: $85,120 median
- New Jersey: $84,130 median
- Illinois: $78,380 median
The lowest medians are in Louisiana ($33,120), Mississippi ($35,880), Kentucky ($37,150), West Virginia ($37,350), North Carolina ($37,940). The most firefighter jobs are in California (31,470 jobs), Texas (28,170 jobs), Florida (24,570 jobs), North Carolina (19,410 jobs), Illinois (18,400 jobs).
How much does a firefighter make a month?
At the median salary of $59,280, a firefighter earns about $4,940 a month, $2,280 every two weeks or $1,140 a week, before taxes.
Entry-level vs. experienced firefighter pay
New firefighters typically start near the bottom of the range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,910 a year and the lowest 25% under $44,490. The top 25% earn over $77,250 and the top 10% over $101,040. BLS does not break pay down by years of experience; these percentiles are the closest official measure.
Firefighter salary vs. similar jobs
| Job | Median per year |
|---|---|
| Firefighter | $59,280 |
| Pilot | $232,140 |
| Paralegal | $62,890 |
| Police officer | $76,210 |
| Real estate agent | $52,830 |
| Flight attendant | $63,580 |
| Air traffic controller | $148,080 |
Common questions
How much does a firefighter make?
The US median is $59,280 a year ($28.50 an hour), based on BLS May 2025 data.
How much does a firefighter make an hour?
The median is about $28.50 an hour. The bottom 10% earn about $16.79 and the top 10% about $48.58 an hour.
Which state pays firefighters the most?
New York has the highest median at $100,960, followed by Washington ($94,520) and California ($85,120).
How much does a firefighter make a month?
At the US median of $59,280 a year, about $4,940 a month or $2,280 every two weeks, before taxes.
How much does an entry-level firefighter make?
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,910 a year and the lowest 25% under $44,490, the closest official measure of starting pay.
How much do the top 10% of firefighters make?
The top 10% earn over $101,040 a year; the top 25% earn over $77,250.
How much does a firefighter make in California, Texas, Florida and New York?
Median annual pay is $85,120 in California, $60,180 in Texas, $58,550 in Florida, $100,960 in New York, per BLS May 2025 data.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 survey (occupation code 33-2011, “Firefighters”), the most recent official release; “median” means half earn more and half earn less. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. See the BLS OEWS tables and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. This page is general information, not career or financial advice.