Firefighter Salary Overview
The Firefighter is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $57,000. Compensation typically ranges from $31,200 for entry-level positions to $95,800 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Firefighter in the US earns between $31,200 and $95,800 per year, with a median of $57,000.
Firefighter Salary by Experience
Entry-level firefighters earn around $37,050, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $76,950 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $39,330 | $19/hr | $32,886 |
| Mid | $57,000 | $27/hr | $46,127 |
| Senior | $79,230 | $38/hr | $60,618 |
| Lead | $86,640 | $42/hr | $65,142 |
Firefighter Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Firefighter in each US state.
Pay for firefighters varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,685 | $4,360 | $45,153 | 20.8% |
| Alaska | $57,000 | $4,802 | $0 | $4,360 | $47,838 | 16.1% |
| Arizona | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,060 | $4,360 | $46,778 | 17.9% |
| Arkansas | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,282 | $4,360 | $45,556 | 20.1% |
| California | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,711 | $4,360 | $46,127 | 19.1% |
| Colorado | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,848 | $4,360 | $45,990 | 19.3% |
| Connecticut | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,385 | $4,360 | $45,453 | 20.3% |
| Delaware | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,597 | $4,360 | $45,241 | 20.6% |
| District of Columbia | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,356 | $4,360 | $45,482 | 20.2% |
| Florida | $57,000 | $4,802 | $0 | $4,360 | $47,838 | 16.1% |
| Georgia | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,470 | $4,360 | $45,368 | 20.4% |
| Hawaii | $57,000 | $4,802 | $3,775 | $4,360 | $44,063 | 22.7% |
| Idaho | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,459 | $4,360 | $45,379 | 20.4% |
| Illinois | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,684 | $4,360 | $45,154 | 20.8% |
| Indiana | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,738 | $4,360 | $46,100 | 19.1% |
| Iowa | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,166 | $4,360 | $45,672 | 19.9% |
| Kansas | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,592 | $4,360 | $45,246 | 20.6% |
| Kentucky | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,154 | $4,360 | $45,684 | 19.9% |
| Louisiana | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,841 | $4,360 | $45,997 | 19.3% |
| Maine | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,615 | $4,360 | $45,223 | 20.7% |
| Maryland | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,534 | $4,360 | $45,304 | 20.5% |
| Massachusetts | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,630 | $4,360 | $45,208 | 20.7% |
| Michigan | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,184 | $4,360 | $45,654 | 19.9% |
| Minnesota | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,425 | $4,360 | $45,413 | 20.3% |
| Mississippi | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,101 | $4,360 | $45,737 | 19.8% |
| Missouri | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,865 | $4,360 | $45,973 | 19.3% |
| Montana | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,256 | $4,360 | $45,582 | 20.0% |
| Nebraska | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,808 | $4,360 | $46,030 | 19.2% |
| Nevada | $57,000 | $4,802 | $0 | $4,360 | $47,838 | 16.1% |
| New Hampshire | $57,000 | $4,802 | $0 | $4,360 | $47,838 | 16.1% |
| New Jersey | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,657 | $4,360 | $46,181 | 19.0% |
| New Mexico | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,798 | $4,360 | $46,040 | 19.2% |
| New York | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,653 | $4,360 | $45,185 | 20.7% |
| North Carolina | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,991 | $4,360 | $45,847 | 19.6% |
| North Dakota | $57,000 | $4,802 | $827 | $4,360 | $47,011 | 17.5% |
| Ohio | $57,000 | $4,802 | $850 | $4,360 | $46,988 | 17.6% |
| Oklahoma | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,217 | $4,360 | $45,621 | 20.0% |
| Oregon | $57,000 | $4,802 | $4,462 | $4,360 | $43,376 | 23.9% |
| Pennsylvania | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,750 | $4,360 | $46,088 | 19.1% |
| Rhode Island | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,742 | $4,360 | $46,096 | 19.1% |
| South Carolina | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,021 | $4,360 | $45,817 | 19.6% |
| South Dakota | $57,000 | $4,802 | $0 | $4,360 | $47,838 | 16.1% |
| Tennessee | $57,000 | $4,802 | $0 | $4,360 | $47,838 | 16.1% |
| Texas | $57,000 | $4,802 | $0 | $4,360 | $47,838 | 16.1% |
| Utah | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,650 | $4,360 | $45,188 | 20.7% |
| Vermont | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,821 | $4,360 | $46,017 | 19.3% |
| Virginia | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,761 | $4,360 | $45,077 | 20.9% |
| Washington | $57,000 | $4,802 | $0 | $4,360 | $47,838 | 16.1% |
| West Virginia | $57,000 | $4,802 | $2,042 | $4,360 | $45,796 | 19.7% |
| Wisconsin | $57,000 | $4,802 | $1,933 | $4,360 | $45,905 | 19.5% |
| Wyoming | $57,000 | $4,802 | $0 | $4,360 | $47,838 | 16.1% |
Top Cities for Firefighter Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for firefighters tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $62,700 |
| Newark, NJ | $62,700 |
| Seattle, WA | $62,700 |
| New York, NY | $62,700 |
| Hartford, CT | $62,700 |
Calculate Firefighter Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Gross Annual
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Total Tax
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Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
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State Tax
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Social Security
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Medicare
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Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Firefighter
Becoming a firefighter typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Firefighter Career Outlook
Employment of firefighters is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Firefighter Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for firefighters in the US is $57,000, with a typical range from $31,200 to $95,800 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for firefighters include CA, NJ, WA. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level firefighters can expect to earn around $37,050 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a firefighter can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for firefighters is approximately $27.40, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.