Firefighters Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $59,280 · Median hourly: $28.50 · Employment: 345,990
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,910 | $16.79 |
| 25th | $44,490 | $21.39 |
| Median | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| 75th | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| 90th | $101,040 | $48.58 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 33-2011
- Total U.S. employment: 345,990
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
With approximately 345,990 firefighters employed, this is a major occupation in the labor market.
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Firefighters Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,600 | $22.89 | -19.7% | 7,260 |
| Alaska | $58,830 | $28.28 | -0.8% | 1,040 |
| Arizona | $59,280 | $28.50 | 0.0% | 7,500 |
| Arkansas | $39,690 | $19.08 | -33.0% | 2,480 |
| California | $85,120 | $40.92 | +43.6% | 31,470 |
| Colorado | $74,170 | $35.66 | +25.1% | 6,510 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 | $37.32 | +31.0% | 2,970 |
| Delaware | $46,710 | $22.46 | -21.2% | 560 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 | $36.48 | +28.0% | 1,480 |
| Florida | $58,550 | $28.15 | -1.2% | 24,570 |
| Georgia | $46,550 | $22.38 | -21.5% | 12,700 |
| Idaho | $47,320 | $22.75 | -20.2% | 2,240 |
| Illinois | $78,380 | $37.68 | +32.2% | 18,400 |
| Indiana | $62,780 | $30.18 | +5.9% | 8,530 |
| Iowa | $55,810 | $26.83 | -5.9% | 2,170 |
| Kansas | $45,900 | $22.07 | -22.6% | 3,360 |
| Kentucky | $37,150 | $17.86 | -37.3% | 5,150 |
| Louisiana | $33,120 | $15.92 | -44.1% | 5,230 |
| Maine | $48,290 | $23.22 | -18.5% | 2,480 |
| Maryland | $73,810 | $35.49 | +24.5% | 5,340 |
| Massachusetts | $72,800 | $35.00 | +22.8% | 11,940 |
| Michigan | $54,640 | $26.27 | -7.8% | 6,610 |
| Minnesota | $38,110 | $18.32 | -35.7% | 5,810 |
| Mississippi | $35,880 | $17.25 | -39.5% | 2,920 |
| Missouri | $49,080 | $23.60 | -17.2% | 6,580 |
| Montana | $59,310 | $28.52 | +0.1% | 1,010 |
| Nebraska | $61,040 | $29.35 | +3.0% | 1,070 |
| Nevada | $66,570 | $32.01 | +12.3% | 2,640 |
| New Hampshire | $56,620 | $27.22 | -4.5% | 2,700 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 | $40.45 | +41.9% | 7,500 |
| New Mexico | $41,590 | $19.99 | -29.8% | 2,420 |
| New York | $100,960 | $48.54 | +70.3% | 12,950 |
| North Carolina | $37,940 | $18.24 | -36.0% | 19,410 |
| North Dakota | $55,080 | $26.48 | -7.1% | 820 |
| Ohio | $59,370 | $28.54 | +0.2% | 18,100 |
| Oklahoma | $49,710 | $23.90 | -16.1% | 4,150 |
| Oregon | $70,900 | $34.09 | +19.6% | 3,790 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 | $35.32 | +23.9% | 5,020 |
| Rhode Island | $67,380 | $32.39 | +13.7% | 1,620 |
| South Carolina | $42,570 | $20.47 | -28.2% | 7,780 |
| South Dakota | $48,160 | $23.15 | -18.8% | 610 |
| Tennessee | $49,300 | $23.70 | -16.8% | 7,020 |
| Texas | $60,180 | $28.94 | +1.5% | 28,170 |
| Utah | $48,310 | $23.23 | -18.5% | 2,870 |
| Vermont | $46,430 | $22.32 | -21.7% | 0 |
| Virginia | $58,670 | $28.21 | -1.0% | 11,160 |
| Washington | $94,520 | $45.44 | +59.4% | 7,560 |
| West Virginia | $37,350 | $17.96 | -37.0% | 900 |
| Wisconsin | $46,850 | $22.53 | -21.0% | 8,120 |
| Wyoming | $58,090 | $27.93 | -2.0% | 680 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Office Clerks, General — $45,010/yr
- Waiters and Waitresses — $35,230/yr
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,840/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $47,540/yr
- Software Developers — $135,980/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for firefighters?
The median annual wage for firefighters is $59,280 ($28.50 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays firefighters the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many firefighters are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 345,990 firefighters employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do firefighters make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $28.50. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.