How Much Does a Battalion Chief Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$93,530
Battalion chiefs in the U.S. earn a median of $93,530 a year, or $44.96 an hour. Half of battalion chiefs earn more than $93,530 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $140,010.
Pay percentiles for battalion chiefs
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25.69 | $53,430 |
| 25th | $34.68 | $72,140 |
| 50th (median) | $44.96 | $93,530 |
| 75th | $57.45 | $119,500 |
| 90th | $67.31 | $140,010 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers (SOC 33-1021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for battalion chiefs
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $133,210 | $64.04 | +42% |
| New York | $132,520 | $63.71 | +42% |
| Washington | $129,350 | $62.19 | +38% |
| California | $127,630 | $61.36 | +36% |
| District of Columbia | $126,560 | $60.85 | +35% |
| Illinois | $123,500 | $59.37 | +32% |
| Maryland | $120,530 | $57.95 | +29% |
| Colorado | $102,580 | $49.32 | +10% |
| Pennsylvania | $101,050 | $48.58 | +8% |
| Utah | $100,380 | $48.26 | +7% |
| United States | $93,530 | $44.96 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many battalion chiefs are there?
BLS counts about 99,140 battalion chiefs employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers”. The most jobs are in Florida (9,540), Texas (8,660) and California (8,170).
The mean (average) annual wage is $96,930, higher than the median of $93,530.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $7,794
- Biweekly
- $3,597
- Weekly
- $1,799
- Daily (8 hours)
- $360
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do battalion chiefs make an hour?
The median hourly wage for battalion chiefs is $44.96. The middle 50% earn between $34.68 and $57.45 an hour.
Which state pays battalion chiefs the most?
New Jersey has the highest median wage for battalion chiefs at $133,210, +42% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for battalion chiefs?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of battalion chiefs earn less than $53,430 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.