Firefighters Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for firefighters in the United States was $59,280 ($28.50 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
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 survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Childcare Workers — $34,980/yr
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $59,350/yr
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents — $77,710/yr
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $78,660/yr
- Insurance Sales Agents — $62,280/yr
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $38,140/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 2025.
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.