Firefighter Salary in 2026
Firefighters respond to fires, accidents, and medical emergencies, protecting lives and property. They maintain equipment, conduct fire inspections, and provide public safety education.
Median Salary
$59,280
$4,940/mo
Entry Level
$40,200
starting pay
Senior Level
$83,600
experienced
Job Growth
+4%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) at a national median of $59,280 per year (mean $63,630), or $28.50 per hour, with 345,990 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Firefighter Overview
Firefighters respond to fires, accidents, and medical emergencies, protecting lives and property. They maintain equipment, conduct fire inspections, and provide public safety education.
Education
High School Diploma + Fire Academy
Experience
Fire Academy
Industry
Government
Total Jobs (US)
346K
5-Year Growth
+12%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$28.50/hr
Monthly Pay
$4,940
Local evidence pages
High-intent Firefighter salary checks
These pages answer location-specific searches where a national median is not enough. Use them when the question is about an exact city posting, local credential path, or city-specific salary range.
Firefighter Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Firefighter salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Firefighter Salary
$69,000
$5,750/month · $2,654/biweekly · $33.17/hr
Firefighter Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Firefighter field.
Entry-level Firefighters earn around $40,200, while the top 10% earn $96,850 or more.
Top Paying States for Firefighters
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $70,000 | +$10,720 |
| New York | $68,000 | +$8,720 |
| Texas | $58,000 | $-1,280 |
| Florida | $58,000 | $-1,280 |
| Ohio | $56,000 | $-3,280 |
Top Paying Cities for Firefighters
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New YorkBLS metro | $106,420 | +$47,140 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $98,050 | +$38,770 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $75,710 | +$16,430 |
| ColumbusBLS metro | $61,780 | +$2,500 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $59,120 | $-160 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Firefighters in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Firefighter Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Firefighter.
- Arlington, VA
- Auburn, WA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Boulder, CO
- Colonie, NY
- Council Bluffs, IA
- Cranston, RI
- Davie, FL
- Edmond, OK
- Fort Worth, TX
- Franklin, TN
- Hamilton Township, NJ
- Hialeah, FL
- Huntington, NY
- Johns Creek, GA
- Layton, UT
- League City, TX
- Lexington, KY
- Lynn, MA
- Meridian, ID
- Midland, TX
- Milpitas, CA
- Mount Pleasant, SC
- Nampa, ID
- Newark, NJ
- Newton, MA
- North Charleston, SC
- Norwalk, CT
- Odessa, TX
- Orlando, FL
- Palm Coast, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Rialto, CA
- Schaumburg, IL
- Shelby Township, MI
- Springfield, IL
- Springfield, MA
- St Louis, MO
- Suffolk, VA
- Tampa, FL
- Toms River, NJ
- Upper Darby, PA
- Woodbridge, NJ
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Firefighter Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Firefighter from entry level to expert.
$40,200
0-2 years
$62,000
3-7 years
$83,600
8-14 years
$110,100
15+ years
Related Government Jobs
Firefighter Salary FAQ
How much does a Firefighter make in 2026?
The median salary for a Firefighter in the United States is $59,280 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Firefighters (SOC 33-2011); the mean is $63,630. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $40,200, senior professionals around $83,600, and top earners at $110,100 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Firefighter?
A Firefighter typically requires a High School Diploma + Fire Academy with Fire Academy of experience. Key skills include Fire Suppression, EMT, Rescue Operations. Relevant certifications such as EMT-B or Firefighter I/II can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Firefighters?
The job market for Firefighters is projected to grow by 4% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 346K Firefighter positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 12%, reflecting moderate demand for this role.
Which states pay Firefighters the most?
The highest-paying states for Firefighters include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $70,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Firefighter salary?
To increase your Firefighter salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Fire Suppression and EMT. Pursue certifications such as EMT-B. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With Fire Academy of experience, you can progress from $40,200 to $83,600 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Firefighter Salary
How we calculate Firefighter salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Firefighters (SOC 33-2011), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $59,280, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Firefighters; BLS mean $63,630; BLS hourly median $28.50.
- Entry-level ($40,200) and senior-level ($83,600) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +4% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 345,990 Firefighters jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 12% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Government sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: High School Diploma + Fire Academy, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $59,280; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Firefighter compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Firefighter job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Government
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Firefighter salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Fire Suppression, EMT, Rescue Operations), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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