The average salary for a firefighter in the United States is approximately $56,336 per year, according to recent data from Indeed
. However, salaries can vary widely depending on location, experience, and qualifications.
Salary Range and Influencing Factors
- Entry-level firefighters typically earn around $45,000 to $55,000 annually
- Experienced firefighters, especially those with paramedic certification or advanced education, can earn significantly more. For example, a full-time firefighter/paramedic in Tennessee reported making about $80,901 annually before overtime, with total earnings around $100,000 including overtime
- In some high-paying areas like the Bay Area, California, top-step firefighter/paramedics can earn upwards of $143,000 per year, with engineers and captains earning even more
- Salaries also differ by state, with higher pay in states like New York, Washington, California, and New Jersey (ranging from about $74,700 to $81,240), and lower pay in states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and South Carolina (ranging from $25,460 to $35,230)
Examples of Specific Salaries
- Unified Fire Authority in Utah offers starting firefighter salaries around $54,000, with paramedics starting higher, up to nearly $99,000 for lateral hires
- Colorado Springs Fire Department salaries for 2025 range from about $70,764 for 4th Class Firefighters up to $96,300 for 1st Class Firefighters, with paramedics earning even more (up to $109,584)
- Los Angeles Fire Department firefighter salaries start around $85,315 for trainees and can rise to over $118,000 for experienced firefighters
Additional Compensation and Benefits
- Many departments offer overtime pay, holiday bonuses, educational incentives, and equipment operation pay, which can significantly increase total earnings
- Benefits often include medical coverage for life, pension plans, paid vacation, and flexible schedules
In summary, while the average firefighter salary in the U.S. is around $56,000 per year, actual pay can range from about $25,000 to over $140,000 depending on location, experience, and additional qualifications such as paramedic certification
