How Much Does a Firefighter Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$59,280
Firefighters in the U.S. earn a median of $59,280 a year, or $28.50 an hour. Half of firefighters earn more than $59,280 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $101,040.
Pay percentiles for firefighters
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.79 | $34,910 |
| 25th | $21.39 | $44,490 |
| 50th (median) | $28.50 | $59,280 |
| 75th | $37.14 | $77,250 |
| 90th | $48.58 | $101,040 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Firefighters (SOC 33-2011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 | $48.54 | +70% |
| Washington | $94,520 | $45.44 | +59% |
| California | $85,120 | $40.92 | +44% |
| New Jersey | $84,130 | $40.45 | +42% |
| Illinois | $78,380 | $37.68 | +32% |
| Connecticut | $77,630 | $37.32 | +31% |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 | $36.48 | +28% |
| Colorado | $74,170 | $35.66 | +25% |
| Maryland | $73,810 | $35.49 | +25% |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 | $35.32 | +24% |
| United States | $59,280 | $28.50 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many firefighters are there?
BLS counts about 345,990 firefighters employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (31,470), Texas (28,170) and Florida (24,570).
The mean (average) annual wage is $63,630, higher than the median of $59,280.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,940
- Biweekly
- $2,280
- Weekly
- $1,140
- Daily (8 hours)
- $228
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do firefighters make an hour?
The median hourly wage for firefighters is $28.50. The middle 50% earn between $21.39 and $37.14 an hour.
Which state pays firefighters the most?
New York has the highest median wage for firefighters at $100,960, +70% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for firefighters?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of firefighters earn less than $34,910 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.