Firefighter Salary: $57,420 Average (2026)
2026 DataCompare firefighter salaries across 50 US cities. Pay ranges from $48,093 to $78,827.
Highest Paying Cities for Firefighters
Average Salary
$57,420
across all locations
Highest Paying
$78,827
San Jose, CA
Locations Covered
50
metro areas
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities for Firefighters
See which cities pay Firefighters the most, from $78,827 down to the #10 spot.
Firefighter Salary Comparison by Metro
Top 10 highest paying metro areas compared to national average ($57,120)
| Rank | Metro Area | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | San Jose, CA | $78,827 |
| #2 | San Francisco, CA | $76,839 |
| #3 | New York, NY | $69,361 |
| #4 | Seattle, WA | $68,475 |
| #5 | Boston, MA | $65,627 |
| #6 | Los Angeles, CA | $65,236 |
| #7 | San Diego, CA | $63,970 |
| #8 | Washington, DC | $63,814 |
| #9 | Denver, CO | $60,606 |
| #10 | Portland, OR | $60,593 |
COL Adjusted = Salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher values indicate better purchasing power.
Firefighter Salary by Experience Level
Average salary ranges across all 50 metro areas based on experience
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
Entry-Level 10th Percentile | $37,213 | $17.89/hr |
Mid-Career 50th (Median) | $57,420 | $27.61/hr |
Senior / Experienced 90th Percentile | $83,394 | $40.09/hr |
Entry to Mid Growth
+$20,207
+54%
Mid to Senior Growth
+$25,974
+45%
Total Career Growth
+$46,181
+124%
Firefighter Salary by Location
| Location | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $78,827 | $37.90 | 348 |
| San Francisco, CA | $76,839 | $36.94 | 398 |
| New York, NY | $69,361 | $33.35 | 537 |
| Seattle, WA | $68,475 | $32.92 | 416 |
| Boston, MA | $65,627 | $31.55 | 402 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $65,236 | $31.36 | 414 |
| San Diego, CA | $63,970 | $30.75 | 252 |
| Washington, DC | $63,814 | $30.68 | 440 |
| Denver, CO | $60,606 | $29.14 | 311 |
| Portland, OR | $60,593 | $29.13 | 263 |
| Chicago, IL | $60,087 | $28.89 | 376 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $60,049 | $28.87 | 312 |
| Hartford, CT | $59,733 | $28.72 | 247 |
| Austin, TX | $59,560 | $28.63 | 318 |
| Raleigh, NC | $58,681 | $28.21 | 280 |
| Sacramento, CA | $58,655 | $28.20 | 261 |
| Atlanta, GA | $58,605 | $28.18 | 326 |
| Dallas, TX | $58,012 | $27.89 | 288 |
| Riverside, CA | $57,674 | $27.73 | 252 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $57,344 | $27.57 | 292 |
| Miami, FL | $57,109 | $27.46 | 330 |
| Charlotte, NC | $56,953 | $27.38 | 283 |
| Providence, RI | $56,914 | $27.36 | 316 |
| Baltimore, MD | $56,707 | $27.26 | 259 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $56,553 | $27.19 | 341 |
| Houston, TX | $56,315 | $27.07 | 372 |
| Tampa, FL | $55,879 | $26.86 | 295 |
| Orlando, FL | $55,785 | $26.82 | 291 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $55,453 | $26.66 | 245 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $54,686 | $26.29 | 285 |
| Columbus, OH | $54,642 | $26.27 | 256 |
| Richmond, VA | $54,633 | $26.27 | 308 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $54,622 | $26.26 | 299 |
| Nashville, TN | $54,171 | $26.04 | 274 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $53,924 | $25.93 | 293 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $53,922 | $25.92 | 241 |
| Detroit, MI | $53,793 | $25.86 | 252 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $53,633 | $25.79 | 320 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $52,992 | $25.48 | 273 |
| Cleveland, OH | $52,365 | $25.18 | 263 |
| Kansas City, MO | $52,277 | $25.13 | 275 |
| Memphis, TN | $51,630 | $24.82 | 290 |
| St. Louis, MO | $51,563 | $24.79 | 274 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $51,244 | $24.64 | 269 |
| San Antonio, TX | $51,195 | $24.61 | 289 |
| Tucson, AZ | $51,085 | $24.56 | 273 |
| Louisville, KY | $50,750 | $24.40 | 279 |
| Birmingham, AL | $50,209 | $24.14 | 240 |
| New Orleans, LA | $50,177 | $24.12 | 268 |
| El Paso, TX | $48,093 | $23.12 | 242 |
About Firefighter Careers
This professional role involves specialized skills and knowledge to perform essential job duties across various industries and organizations. Professionals in this field contribute to organizational success through their expertise and dedication to quality work.
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average firefighter salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $57,420 per year. Salaries range from $48,093 in El Paso, TX to $78,827 in San Jose, CA, reflecting significant variation based on location, cost of living, and local demand. There are approximately 15,228 professionals employed as firefighters across the metro areas we track.
What Does a Firefighter Do?
Firefighters perform a variety of essential duties in their daily work:
- Perform core job responsibilities with attention to quality and detail
- Collaborate with team members and stakeholders
- Stay current with industry trends and best practices
- Meet performance targets and organizational goals
- Maintain professional standards and ethical conduct
- Contribute to process improvements and efficiency gains
- Document work and maintain accurate records
Education Requirements
Qualifications for this role typically include relevant education, training, and experience. Many employers value a combination of formal education and practical experience. Professional certifications and continuing education can enhance career prospects and earning potential.
Key Skills for Firefighters
Factors That Affect Firefighter Salary
Several factors influence how much a firefighter earns:
Career Path & Advancement
Career advancement typically involves gaining experience, developing specialized expertise, and taking on increased responsibility. Opportunities may include senior-level positions, management roles, or specialized technical tracks.
Job Outlook
Employment in this field is influenced by economic conditions, industry trends, and technological developments. Professionals who stay current with industry changes and continuously develop their skills will have better career prospects.
Work Environment
Work environments vary based on industry and specific role requirements. Many positions offer opportunities for professional growth and development in supportive workplace settings.
Career Prospects for Firefighters
The job market for firefighters continues to evolve with changing economic conditions and technological advancements. Professionals entering this field should be prepared for a dynamic career landscape that rewards adaptability and continuous skill development.
With approximately 15,228 firefighters employed across the metropolitan areas we track, the profession offers substantial employment opportunities. Industry projections suggest steady demand driven by factors including technological innovation, demographic shifts, and evolving business needs.
Professionals who invest in specialized certifications, stay current with industry trends, and develop complementary skills in emerging technologies tend to command higher salaries and have better job security. Networking and maintaining strong professional relationships also play crucial roles in career advancement within this field.
Geographic Salary Variations for Firefighters
Salary for firefighters varies significantly by geographic location. The highest-paying metropolitan area, San Jose, CA, offers a median salary of $78,827, while the lowest in our data, El Paso, TX, pays approximately $48,093. This represents a salary difference of $30,734 (64% higher).
Cost of living is a critical factor when evaluating salaries across locations. Higher-paying metropolitan areas like San Francisco, New York, and Seattle typically have significantly higher housing costs, taxes, and general expenses. When considering relocation, calculate your potential take-home pay after accounting for local cost of living differences.
Regional demand also affects compensation. Areas with strong industries that heavily employ firefighters often pay premium salaries to attract and retain talent. Conversely, regions with surplus labor or fewer industry concentrations may offer lower compensation. Remote work opportunities have begun to change these dynamics, allowing some professionals to earn higher salaries while living in lower-cost areas.
Advancement Opportunities for Firefighters
Career advancement for firefighters typically follows several paths. Technical advancement involves deepening expertise and specializing in high-demand niches, while management tracks offer opportunities to lead teams and oversee larger projects. Both paths can lead to significant salary increases over time.
Entry-level firefighters can expect to progress from starting salaries around $30,297to the median salary of $57,420 within 3-5 years with solid performance and skill development. Top performers who reach senior levels can earn $115,189 or more, representing the top 10% of earners in this profession.
Professional development investments that typically yield the highest returns include industry certifications, advanced degrees, leadership training, and expertise in emerging technologies or methodologies. Professionals who consistently deliver results and build strong professional networks tend to advance more quickly and negotiate better compensation packages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Firefighter Salaries
The average firefighter salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $57,420 per year as of 2026. This is based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering 50 metro areas. Salaries range from $48,093 in El Paso, TX to $78,827 in San Jose, CA.
The average hourly rate for firefighters is $27.61 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by location, ranging from $23.12/hour in lower-paying areas to $37.90/hour in top-paying cities like San Jose.
San Jose, CA is the highest paying metro area for firefighters, with a median salary of $78,827 per year. This is 37% above the national average of $57,420. Other high-paying areas typically include major tech hubs and cities with high costs of living.
Entry-level firefighters (10th percentile) typically earn around $37,213 per year nationally. Starting salaries depend on education, certifications, location, and industry. Most entry-level professionals can expect to reach the median salary of $57,420 within 3-5 years of career growth.
The average firefighter salary of $57,420 is 3% lower than the typical U.S. worker salary of approximately $59,228. Top earners in this profession (90th percentile) can make $83,394 or more annually.
El Paso, TX has the lowest firefighter salary at $48,093 per year. However, lower salaries often correlate with lower costs of living, which can result in similar purchasing power. The salary difference between the highest and lowest paying areas is $30,734.
There are approximately 15,228 firefighters employed across the 50 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a moderate-sized job market with opportunities in protective services industries nationwide.
The biggest factors affecting firefighter salary include: geographic location (salaries vary by up to $30,734 across cities), years of experience, industry sector, Years of relevant experience, Education level and certifications. Metropolitan areas with high industry demand and cost of living typically pay more.
In-demand skills that boost firefighter salaries include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills, Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Years of relevant experience Developing specialized expertise can help you reach the top 25% of earners ($70,885).
Firefighter salaries have generally kept pace with inflation, with the current average of $57,420 reflecting 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salary trends vary by location and specialization. Professionals who develop in-demand skills and pursue certifications tend to see above-average salary increases.
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Data Freshness & Source
Current DataLast Updated
March 2027
Data Source
BLS 2026 OEWS
Next Update Expected
March 2027
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. This is the most comprehensive source of occupation-specific wage data in the United States.
About Our Salary Data
This salary data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2026 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. The BLS collects wage data from employers each May and publishes results the following spring. Our data reflects the most recent official government statistics available. The next BLS data release is expected in March 2027.
Firefighter Salary by State
Compare firefighter salaries across 31 states. Click a state for detailed city-by-city salary data.