Average Firefighter Salary in New York
Firefighters in New York earn an average of $69,361 per year across 1 metro area. This is +21.4% higher than the national average.
Average Salary
$69,361
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.35
per hour
vs National
+21.4%
$57,120 national
Salary Range
$46,870
to $103,140
About Firefighter Careers in New York
Firefighters respond to fires, accidents, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and other hazardous situations to protect lives and property. They are among the most highly respected public servants in the United States, combining physical courage with technical expertise in fire suppression, emergency medical response, and hazardous materials handling. Beyond fighting fires, modern firefighters spend the majority of their shifts on medical calls, public education, and equipment maintenance.
In New York, firefighters earn an average of $69,361 per year as of 2026, with salaries ranging from $46,870 for entry-level roles to $103,140 for the most experienced professionals — +21.4% above the national average. Pay is influenced most by paramedic vs. emt certification — paramedics typically earn a 10–20% pay premium, department type — federal firefighters (blm, forest service) and large urban departments pay the most, and the specific metro area within New York.
What Firefighters Earn in New York: FDNY Pay, Overtime, and Pensions
New York is one of the highest-paying states in the country for firefighters. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data consistently places New York near the top for average firefighter wages — well above the national median — and the figures on this page reflect the most recent BLS release, reviewed for the 2025–2026 period. The state's employment is dominated by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), the largest municipal fire department in the United States, whose pay scale effectively sets the benchmark for the New York City metro area shown here.
Three forces lift New York firefighter pay above the national average. First, the New York City metro has one of the highest costs of living in the country, which pushes base wages upward. Second, the FDNY uses a structured, seniority-based pay ladder in which appointment pay is relatively modest but rises sharply after five years of service — so a firefighter's salary several years into the job is far higher than the starting wage, and longevity increments continue to add to it. Third, overtime, holiday pay, and night-shift differentials are a routine part of the work; combined with the contractual pay steps, total annual compensation for an experienced FDNY firefighter commonly runs well above the published base figure. Strong collective bargaining through the Uniformed Firefighters Association (UFA) and the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) reinforces these gains.
Pay varies across the state. The New York City metro — reflected in the figure above — pays the most, driven by cost of living, FDNY's budget, and contractual pay steps. Upstate metros such as Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Syracuse generally pay less in nominal dollars but carry a far lower cost of living, so real take-home pay is more comparable than the gross numbers suggest. FDNY firefighters participate in the New York City Fire Department Pension Fund, a defined-benefit plan that has historically allowed retirement after about 20 years of service (newer tiers require longer service and higher contributions). Because the pension pays a guaranteed percentage of final salary for life, it materially raises an FDNY firefighter's lifetime earnings beyond what annual salary alone captures.
Cost of Living Adjusted Salary
Nominal Salary
$69,361
Cost of Living Index
123
100 = national average
Adjusted Salary
$56,391
purchasing power equivalent
After adjusting for New York's cost of living (above average), a Firefighter's salary of $69,361 has the purchasing power of $56,391 in an average-cost area.
Firefighter Salary by City in New York
| City | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | Entry Level (P10) | Senior (P90) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $69,361 | $33.35/hr | $46,870 | $103,140 | 537 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS Survey, 2026. Sorted by median salary (highest first).
New York vs National Average
Firefighter Salary Comparison
Employment in New York
There are approximately 537 Firefighters employed across 1 metro area in New York.
Key Industries: Finance, Media & Entertainment, Technology
State Income Tax: 4% - 10.9%
Firefighter Salary Range in New York
Entry Level (10th Percentile)
$46,870
Starting salary for new Firefighters
Median (50th Percentile)
$69,361
Mid-career Firefighter salary
Senior (90th Percentile)
$103,140
Top earners in the field
Related Occupations in New York
Firefighter Salary in Neighboring States
Compare Firefighter salaries in New York with nearby states to find the best opportunities.
More New York Data
Frequently Asked Questions
Do New York firefighters earn more than the base salary shown here?
Usually, yes. The figure on this page reflects BLS base wages, but FDNY pay rises steeply with years of service, and overtime, holiday pay, and night-shift differentials are a routine part of the job. Combined with longevity increments and specialty assignments, total annual compensation for an experienced New York City firefighter commonly runs well above the published base — often into six figures for senior personnel.
Why do firefighters in New York make more than in most states?
New York pays firefighters well for three main reasons: the New York City metro has one of the highest costs of living in the country, which lifts base wages; the FDNY is the largest, best-funded municipal fire department in the United States; and strong collective bargaining through the Uniformed Firefighters Association keeps wages, differentials, and benefits competitive. BLS OEWS data consistently ranks New York among the top-paying states for firefighters.
How does FDNY firefighter pay change with experience?
FDNY uses a seniority-based pay schedule. Appointment (starting) pay is relatively modest, but base salary increases substantially after five years of service under the firefighters' contract, and longevity increments continue to raise it after that. As a result, an experienced FDNY firefighter earns far more than a first-year recruit before overtime, holiday pay, and night differentials are even counted.
Do New York firefighters get a pension?
Yes. FDNY firefighters participate in the New York City Fire Department Pension Fund, a defined-benefit plan that has historically allowed retirement after roughly 20 years of service (newer membership tiers require longer service and higher employee contributions). Because the pension pays a guaranteed percentage of final salary for life, it materially raises a New York firefighter's lifetime earnings beyond what annual salary alone captures.
What is the average Firefighter salary in New York?
The average Firefighter salary in New York is $69,361 per year ($33.35/hour) based on 2026 data across 1 metro areas. This is 21.4% above the national average of $57,120.
What is the highest paying city for Firefighters in New York?
New York, NY is the highest paying city for Firefighters in New York, with a median salary of $69,361 per year.
What is the salary range for Firefighters in New York?
Firefighter salaries in New York range from $46,870 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $103,140 (experienced, 90th percentile). The median salary is $69,361 per year.
About This Data
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. State-level averages are calculated from metro area data within New York. Figures represent 2026 estimates and may not reflect all employers or self-employed workers. Cost of living adjustments use regional indices to provide purchasing power context.