Salary guide
Firefighter Salary Guide (2026)
Strong base pay with exceptional pension and benefits in most jurisdictions.
Entry level
$32,000
Typical starting range
National median
$54,000
Most common salary
Top metro departments
Experienced (75th %ile)
$80,000
Stronger long-run earnings
Top earners (90th %ile)
$115,000
Upper-end compensation
BLS code
33-2011
Total jobs
331,000
Hiring outlook
+4% (As fast as average)Overview
Firefighter salaries vary widely based on jurisdiction and department size. Career firefighters in large urban departments — particularly in California, New Jersey, and New York — earn well above the national median. Volunteer or part-time departments pay significantly less or nothing at all. The 24-on/48-off shift schedule commonly results in substantial overtime earnings that push effective annual compensation well beyond base pay.
Career intelligence
Hiring outlook
Steady but highly competitive in career departments, especially in major cities and union-heavy systems.
Pension quality
Often excellent, with some of the strongest long-term retirement packages in government service.
Overtime potential
High. Callback pay, 24-hour schedules, and specialty certifications can raise total comp substantially.
Competition level
High. Firefighter hiring attracts large applicant pools in well-paid departments.
Shift and schedule
Extended shift rotations are common, often with overtime and irregular sleep cycles.
Highest-paying states
Annual median salary for Firefighters by state. Sort the list or compare two states side by side.
Lowest-paying states
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | $28,000 |
| Alabama | $31,000 |
| Arkansas | $32,000 |
| South Carolina | $34,000 |
| Tennessee | $36,000 |
Benefits and total compensation
Base salary is only part of the picture. Government employers often add 30–50% in benefits value on top of base pay through pensions, overtime structures, healthcare, and longevity-based progression.
Defined-benefit pension (often retire at 50 with 50–90% of salary)
Full family health insurance
Overtime earnings on 24-hour shift rotations
Hazard pay for specialized assignments (HAZMAT, technical rescue)
Paid training and certification advancement
Line-of-duty death and disability protections
What affects your pay
Career vs. combination vs. volunteer department
Department size and municipal budget
Rank — engineer, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief
Specialty certifications (paramedic license adds $5,000–$15,000)
Overtime and mandatory callback pay
Years on the job (step pay scales typically run 5–10 years)
Practice before applying
See how the Firefighter exam path actually works
Use the study guide to understand the testing format, then jump into practice before you apply. It is the fastest way to compare pay upside with the exam track behind it.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2023–2024. Figures represent median annual wages for workers in the listed occupation. Total compensation including benefits, overtime, and pension contributions may differ substantially from base salary. Last reviewed: April 2026.