Firefighter Salary in 2026
How Much Do Firefighters Make?
Firefighters earn a median annual salary of $59,530 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $34,490 at the 10th percentile to $101,330 at the 90th percentile — a range of $66,840. The highest-paying state is Washington at $93,490.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,490 |
| 25th percentile | $44,180 |
| Median (50th) | $59,530 |
| 75th percentile | $77,410 |
| 90th percentile | $101,330 |
Firefighter Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washingtontop | $93,490 |
| New York | $88,380 |
| New Jersey | $87,660 |
| California | $83,400 |
| District of Columbia | $79,430 |
| Illinois | $79,080 |
| Connecticut | $77,660 |
| Colorado | $76,560 |
| Oregon | $73,270 |
| Massachusetts | $73,110 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,430 |
| Maryland | $70,580 |
| Rhode Island | $69,480 |
| Nevada | $67,120 |
| Montana | $64,020 |
| Alaska | $63,220 |
| Nebraska | $61,760 |
| Indiana | $61,470 |
| Texas | $60,840 |
| Ohio | $59,470 |
| Arizona | $58,650 |
| Florida | $58,360 |
| Virginia | $58,300 |
| New Hampshire | $57,030 |
| Michigan | $55,570 |
| Iowa | $55,190 |
| Idaho | $53,860 |
| North Dakota | $53,660 |
| Wyoming | $51,850 |
| Utah | $49,270 |
| Missouri | $48,470 |
| Delaware | $48,060 |
| Wisconsin | $47,710 |
| South Dakota | $47,520 |
| Alabama | $47,490 |
| Maine | $47,490 |
| Tennessee | $47,300 |
| Oklahoma | $47,270 |
| Vermont | $46,130 |
| Georgia | $45,970 |
| South Carolina | $45,960 |
| Kansas | $44,060 |
| New Mexico | $42,920 |
| Arkansas | $42,100 |
| Minnesota | $41,990 |
| West Virginia | $41,500 |
| North Carolina | $37,250 |
| Kentucky | $37,140 |
| Mississippi | $36,980 |
| Louisiana | $33,700 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Firefighters
Firefighter Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$34,490 – $44,180 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$59,530 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$77,410 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $101,330+ |
How to Earn More as a Firefighter
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Firefighters in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $164,940 — $105,410 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($77,410) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Firefighter Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Firefighterthis career | $59,530 |
| Emergency Management Director | $86,130 |
| Health and Safety Engineer | $109,660 |
| Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineer | $109,660 |
| Forest and Conservation Technician | $54,310 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Firefighter requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 33-2011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.