What is the average hourly wage for Firefighters?

The median hourly wage for Firefighters is $27.35 per hour. This translates to approximately $56,880 per year working full-time.

What states pay Firefighters the most?

Salaries for Firefighters vary significantly by location. Use the state-by-state table above to see which states offer the highest median wages for this occupation.

What education is needed to become a firefighter?

Typical education required: High school diploma.

Firefighters Salary

Name: Firefighters Salary Data
Creator: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
License: https://www.bls.gov/bls/linksite.htm

Official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Data - May 2024

Median Annual Salary

$56,880

$27.35 / hour

▲ 3% (Average)

Salary Range

$30,146 - $97,834

10th to 90th percentile

Total Employed

305,700

workers nationally

🏛️ Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024 | Updated: Annual | Methodology

Firefighters Salary by Percentile

$30,146 $97,834

10th pct Median: $56,880 90th pct

Percentile	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
10th (Entry Level)	$30,146	$14.49
25th Percentile	$40,954	$19.69
50th (Median)	$56,880	$27.35
75th Percentile	$78,494	$37.74
90th (Top Earners)	$97,834	$47.04
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2024

Top Paying States for Firefighters

#	State	Median Annual	Median Hourly
1	District of Columbia (DC)	$75,082	$36.10
2	California (CA)	$71,100	$34.18
3	Massachusetts (MA)	$69,394	$33.36
4	New York (NY)	$69,394	$33.36
5	New Jersey (NJ)	$68,256	$32.82
6	Connecticut (CT)	$67,118	$32.27
7	Maryland (MD)	$67,118	$32.27
8	Hawaii (HI)	$65,412	$31.45
9	Alaska (AK)	$63,706	$30.63
10	Washington (WA)	$63,706	$30.63
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024

About Firefighters

Firefighters work in their specialized field applying expertise and skills to deliver value in their organization. This occupation is part of the protective service sector of the U.S. economy.

Education Requirements

Typical Entry-Level Education: High school diploma

Job Outlook for Firefighters

Projected Growth

+3%

2022-2032

▲ 3% (Average)

Annual Job Openings

264,000

projected annually

Outlook data based on BLS Employment Projections program. Growth rate is projected change in employment 2022-2032.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Firefighters make?

The median annual salary for Firefighters is $56,880 (BLS OEWS May 2024). Entry-level workers earn around $30,146, while the top 10% earn $97,834 or more.

What is the hourly wage for Firefighters?

Firefighters earn a median hourly wage of $27.35 per hour. Working full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks), this equals approximately $56,880 annually.

Is Firefighters a good-paying career?

With a median salary of $56,880, Firefighters represents a viable career path. Job outlook: Average (3% growth, 2022-2032).

What education do Firefighters need?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Requirements vary by employer and specialization - check with specific employers and BLS OOH for detailed requirements.