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Fire fighter salary
Average fire fighter salary
$56,792
Understanding Fire Fighter Salaries
The average fire fighter salary is $56,792 per year, equating to approximately $27 per hour. This figure can fluctuate based on several factors, including location, experience, and specialized training. For example, fire fighters in urban areas often earn more due to higher living costs and demand for services.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level fire fighters typically start with salaries around $35,000, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of $80,000, especially in leadership roles or specialized units. Continuous training and certifications can significantly enhance earning potential.
Top Paying States
States such as California and New York offer the highest salaries for fire fighters, reflecting the demand for skilled personnel in metropolitan areas. In addition to competitive salaries, many fire departments provide benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, making this profession both rewarding and stable. For those considering a career in firefighting, understanding these salary dynamics can help in making informed decisions about where to apply and how to advance in this essential field.
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Where can a Fire Fighter earn more?
Fire fighter salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level fire fighter | $53,300 | $25.61 |
| Mid-level fire fighter | $60,900 | $29.29 |
| Senior-level fire fighter | $74,400 | $35.78 |
Fire fighter salary estimates from across the web
Average fire fighter salary by state
The average fire fighter salary in Indiana, Maine, and Florida are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average fire fighter salary states are Colorado, South Dakota, and Montana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for fire fighters
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | $67,422 | $32.41 |
| 2 | Indiana | $71,678 | $34.46 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $65,610 | $31.54 |
| 4 | Arizona | $62,316 | $29.96 |
| 5 | Virginia | $65,720 | $31.60 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $65,549 | $31.51 |
| 7 | Florida | $68,599 | $32.98 |
| 8 | Maine | $69,348 | $33.34 |
| 9 | New York | $67,742 | $32.57 |
| 10 | Washington | $59,523 | $28.62 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $52,827 | $25.40 |
| 12 | Oregon | $57,175 | $27.49 |
| 13 | Iowa | $55,348 | $26.61 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $68,119 | $32.75 |
| 15 | North Carolina | $60,938 | $29.30 |
| 16 | Alabama | $54,479 | $26.19 |
| 17 | Oklahoma | $51,520 | $24.77 |
| 18 | Kansas | $54,818 | $26.35 |
| 19 | New Mexico | $49,223 | $23.66 |
| 20 | California | $54,199 | $26.06 |
| 21 | Illinois | $58,183 | $27.97 |
| 22 | Georgia | $52,242 | $25.12 |
| 23 | Tennessee | $52,313 | $25.15 |
| 24 | West Virginia | $49,228 | $23.67 |
| 25 | Michigan | $52,026 | $25.01 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $52,859 | $25.41 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $49,023 | $23.57 |
| 28 | Arkansas | $47,286 | $22.73 |
| 29 | Utah | $44,333 | $21.31 |
| 30 | Ohio | $48,477 | $23.31 |
| 31 | Texas | $49,219 | $23.66 |
| 32 | Nevada | $44,338 | $21.32 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $40,186 | $19.32 |
| 34 | Maryland | $47,389 | $22.78 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $45,637 | $21.94 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $45,001 | $21.64 |
| 37 | Alaska | $40,813 | $19.62 |
| 38 | Montana | $41,034 | $19.73 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $44,080 | $21.19 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $44,756 | $21.52 |
| 41 | Colorado | $42,149 | $20.26 |
| 42 | Delaware | $48,047 | $23.10 |
| 43 | Rhode Island | $45,929 | $22.08 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $41,574 | $19.99 |
| 45 | Connecticut | $47,251 | $22.72 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $42,284 | $20.33 |
| 47 | District of Columbia | $47,223 | $22.70 |
| 48 | Vermont | $41,002 | $19.71 |
| 49 | Missouri | $43,477 | $20.90 |
| 50 | Massachusetts | $44,437 | $21.36 |
| 51 | New Hampshire | $42,883 | $20.62 |
Highest paying cities for fire fighters
The highest-paying cities for fire fighters are East Chicago, IN, Ocala, FL, and Manassas, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Chicago, IN | $71,020 | $34.14 |
| 2 | Ocala, FL | $69,839 | $33.58 |
| 3 | Manassas, VA | $66,268 | $31.86 |
| 4 | Stockton, CA | $58,137 | $27.95 |
| 5 | Savannah, GA | $52,348 | $25.17 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $49,355 | $23.73 |
| 7 | Green Bay, WI | $48,585 | $23.36 |
| 8 | Glastonbury, CT | $46,521 | $22.37 |
| 9 | Spanish Fork, UT | $44,586 | $21.44 |
| 10 | Lincoln, NE | $42,322 | $20.35 |
Fire fighter salary details
A fire fighter's salary ranges from $35,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $89,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a fire fighter's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $89,000 | $7,417 | $43 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
| Average | $56,792 | $4,733 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
Top companies hiring fire fighters now:
Which companies pay fire fighters the most?
Fire fighter salaries at 1 8 3 Lanes and PSEA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average fire fighter salary at companies like Paul Davis USA and County Of Los Angeles Public Library are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 8 3 Lanes | $80,965 | $38.93 |
| 2 | PSEA | $76,769 | $36.91 |
| 3 | Paul Davis USA | $55,616 | $26.74 |
| 4 | County Of Los Angeles Public Library | $53,028 | $25.49 |
| 5 | Sycuan Casino Resort | $52,343 | $25.16 |
| 6 | City of Houston | $52,279 | $25.13 |
| 7 | Village of Ashwaubenon | $52,171 | $25.08 |
| 8 | NASCAR | $49,933 | $24.01 |
| 9 | Pasco | $46,312 | $22.27 |
| 10 | My Florida Regional Mls | $45,314 | $21.79 |
| 11 | Soboba Casino Resort | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| 12 | City of Stafford | $43,182 | $20.76 |
| 13 | Allied Universal | $40,091 | $19.27 |
| 14 | City of Burbank | $38,366 | $18.45 |
| 15 | City of Independence | $37,382 | $17.97 |
| 16 | City of Richardson Texas | $37,369 | $17.97 |
| 17 | City of Fayetteville, Georgia - Government | $37,163 | $17.87 |
| 18 | Cottage Grove MN | $36,436 | $17.52 |
| 19 | Florida Department of Transportation | $31,567 | $15.18 |
| 20 | State Of Florida | $30,496 | $14.66 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Fire Fighter salary by industry
The average fire fighter salary varies across industries:
- The average fire fighter salary in the technology industry is $59,387, the highest of any industry.
- The average fire fighter salary in the finance industry is $51,428.
- Fire fighters in the utilities industry earn an average salary of $41,687, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for fire fighters
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technology | $59,387 | $28.55 |
| 2 | Government | $51,428 | $24.73 |
| 3 | Professional | $50,450 | $24.25 |
| 4 | Utilities | $41,687 | $20.04 |
High paying fire fighter jobs
Fire fighter salary trends
The average fire fighter salary has risen by $6,740 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average fire fighter earned $50,052 annually, but today, they earn $56,792 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for fire fighters over the last decade.
Compare fire fighter salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average fire fighter salary over time
Compare fire fighter salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Fire fighter salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $56,800 | $27.30 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $56,000 | $26.93 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $55,000 | $26.42 | +0.2% |
| 2022 | $54,800 | $26.37 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | $53,700 | $25.80 | +3.1% |
Recently added fire fighter salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amentum | Fire Fighter Tech (PAC) | Las Vegas, NV | 06/27/2025 | $47,396 |
| Town of Oxford | Fire Fighter Paramedic | Oxford, MA | 06/20/2025 | $61,733 |
| City of Kannapolis | Fire Fighter | Kannapolis, NC | 06/13/2025 | $47,090 |
| Securitas Security Services USA, Inc. | Fire Fighter-Poughkeepsie, NY . | Poughkeepsie, NY | 06/11/2025 | $60,001 |
| City of Gallup, Nm | Fire Fighter L | Gallup, NM | 06/11/2025 | $31,326 |
| Securitas Electronic Security | Fire Fighter-Poughkeepsie, NY . | Poughkeepsie, NY | 06/10/2025 | $60,001 |
| Securitas Inc. | Fire Fighter-Poughkeepsie, NY . | Poughkeepsie, NY | 06/10/2025 | $60,001 |
| City of West Wendover, Nv | Fire Fighter | West Wendover, NV | 06/09/2025 | $25,127 |
| City of Venice | Fire Fighter/Paramedic | Venice, FL | 06/03/2025 | $57,906 |
| Town of Wrightsville Beach | Fire Fighter/Engineer | Wrightsville Beach, NC | 05/25/2025 | $44,865 |
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