Best cities for a fire fighter
The best cities for fire fighters are Tampa, FL, Orlando, FL, and Fort Wayne, IN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for fire fighters vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for fire fighters in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a fire fighter or considering a move, this list of the best cities for fire fighters to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for fire fighters. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a fire fighter. While the absolute best city for fire fighters is Tampa, FL, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for fire fighters in 2024.
If you're looking for a fire fighter job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for fire fighters in 2026
1. Tampa, FL
Total fire fighter jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $69,384 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $124,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Orlando, FL
Total fire fighter jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $69,384 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $123,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Fort Wayne, IN
Total fire fighter jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $73,126 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $118,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Saint Petersburg, FL
Total fire fighter jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $69,304 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $124,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Indianapolis, IN
Total fire fighter jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $71,553 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $115,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Philadelphia, PA
Total fire fighter jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $66,284 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $109,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Pittsburgh, PA
Total fire fighter jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $62,913 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $103,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Jacksonville, FL
Total fire fighter jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $69,831 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $121,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Hialeah, FL
Total fire fighter jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $67,281 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $122,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Miami, FL
Total fire fighter jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $67,210 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $122,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for fire fighters
- Tampa, FL
- Orlando, FL
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Saint Petersburg, FL
- Indianapolis, IN
- Philadelphia, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Jacksonville, FL
- Hialeah, FL
- Miami, FL
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Detailed list of the best cities for a fire fighter
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tampa, FL | $69,384 | $38,000 | 377,165 | - |
| 2 | Orlando, FL | $69,384 | $38,000 | 277,173 | - |
| 3 | Fort Wayne, IN | $73,126 | $45,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 4 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $69,304 | $38,000 | 260,999 | - |
| 5 | Indianapolis, IN | $71,553 | $44,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $66,284 | $40,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 7 | Pittsburgh, PA | $62,913 | $38,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 8 | Jacksonville, FL | $69,831 | $40,000 | 880,619 | - |
| 9 | Hialeah, FL | $67,281 | $36,000 | 236,387 | - |
| 10 | Miami, FL | $67,210 | $36,000 | 453,579 | - |
| 11 | Raleigh, NC | $62,649 | $36,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 12 | Durham, NC | $62,634 | $36,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 13 | Greensboro, NC | $61,533 | $36,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 14 | Winston-Salem, NC | $60,872 | $36,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 15 | Glendale, AZ | $62,414 | $37,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 16 | Phoenix, AZ | $62,391 | $37,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 17 | Chandler, AZ | $62,340 | $37,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 18 | Scottsdale, AZ | $62,333 | $37,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 19 | Gilbert, AZ | $62,318 | $37,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 20 | Mesa, AZ | $62,308 | $37,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 21 | Tucson, AZ | $62,306 | $37,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 22 | Charlotte, NC | $58,845 | $34,000 | 842,051 | - |
| 23 | Jersey City, NJ | $68,188 | $41,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 24 | Newark, NJ | $68,145 | $41,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 25 | Virginia Beach, VA | $65,975 | $38,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 26 | Norfolk, VA | $65,835 | $38,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 27 | Hempstead, NY | $68,330 | $41,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 28 | Chesapeake, VA | $65,685 | $38,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 29 | Islip, NY | $68,283 | $41,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 30 | New York, NY | $68,252 | $41,000 | 8,537,673 | - |
| 31 | Oyster Bay, NY | $68,175 | $41,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 32 | Brookhaven, NY | $68,090 | $41,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 33 | Nashville, TN | $52,448 | $31,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 34 | Wichita, KS | $54,893 | $34,000 | 389,902 | - |
| 35 | Memphis, TN | $51,575 | $31,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 36 | Chicago, IL | $58,447 | $36,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 37 | Oklahoma City, OK | $51,635 | $31,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 38 | Cleveland, OH | $49,405 | $30,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 39 | Tulsa, OK | $51,193 | $31,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 40 | Detroit, MI | $52,481 | $32,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 41 | Buffalo, NY | $63,086 | $39,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 42 | Columbus, OH | $48,430 | $29,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 43 | Cincinnati, OH | $46,786 | $28,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 44 | Seattle, WA | $59,889 | $35,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 45 | Atlanta, GA | $52,270 | $31,000 | 472,522 | - |
| 46 | Saint Paul, MN | $52,937 | $34,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 47 | Toledo, OH | $48,274 | $29,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 48 | Portland, OR | $56,479 | $33,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 49 | Minneapolis, MN | $52,874 | $34,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 50 | Austin, TX | $49,597 | $28,000 | 947,890 | - |
Highest paying cities for fire fighters
| Rank | City | Avg. fire fighter salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Chicago, IN | $71,020 |
| 2 | Ocala, FL | $69,839 |
| 3 | Manassas, VA | $66,268 |
| 4 | Stockton, CA | $58,137 |
| 5 | Savannah, GA | $52,348 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $49,355 |
| 7 | Green Bay, WI | $48,585 |
| 8 | Glastonbury, CT | $46,521 |
| 9 | Spanish Fork, UT | $44,586 |
| 10 | Lincoln, NE | $42,322 |
Fire fighter best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025