Firefighters Salary by State
The national median pay for firefighters is $59,280 a year. By state, it ranges from $33,120 in Louisiana to $100,960 in New York.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $34,910
- 25th percentile
- $44,490
- Median
- $59,280
- 75th percentile
- $77,250
- Top 10%
- $101,040
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 345,990 jobs.
Median pay in 49 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $100,960 | +70% | $56,390 | $106,440 | 12,950 |
| 2 | Washington | $94,520 | +59% | $47,640 | $123,980 | 7,560 |
| 3 | California | $85,120 | +44% | $52,390 | $136,150 | 31,470 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $84,130 | +42% | $47,920 | $123,940 | 7,500 |
| 5 | Illinois | $78,380 | +32% | $38,900 | $106,060 | 18,400 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $77,630 | +31% | $51,320 | $85,500 | 2,970 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $75,870 | +28% | $61,050 | $99,760 | 1,480 |
| 8 | Colorado | $74,170 | +25% | $47,000 | $114,170 | 6,510 |
| 9 | Maryland | $73,810 | +25% | $48,030 | $98,770 | 5,340 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $73,460 | +24% | $48,620 | $89,190 | 5,020 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $72,800 | +23% | $49,730 | $98,130 | 11,940 |
| 12 | Oregon | $70,900 | +20% | $38,800 | $104,070 | 3,790 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $67,380 | +14% | $56,110 | $76,620 | 1,620 |
| 14 | Nevada | $66,570 | +12% | $47,600 | $101,450 | 2,640 |
| 15 | Indiana | $62,780 | +6% | $38,460 | $81,890 | 8,530 |
| 16 | Nebraska | $61,040 | +3% | $46,660 | $69,460 | 1,070 |
| 17 | Texas | $60,180 | +2% | $40,020 | $77,170 | 28,170 |
| 18 | Ohio | $59,370 | 0% | $34,420 | $84,010 | 18,100 |
| 19 | Montana | $59,310 | 0% | $32,810 | $76,620 | 1,010 |
| 20 | Arizona | $59,280 | 0% | $36,700 | $88,220 | 7,500 |
| 21 | Alaska | $58,830 | −1% | $35,520 | $82,360 | 1,040 |
| 22 | Virginia | $58,670 | −1% | $38,310 | $77,310 | 11,160 |
| 23 | Florida | $58,550 | −1% | $37,260 | $93,310 | 24,570 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $58,090 | −2% | $39,550 | $78,760 | 680 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $56,620 | −4% | $35,450 | $78,570 | 2,700 |
| 26 | Iowa | $55,810 | −6% | $32,240 | $87,720 | 2,170 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $55,080 | −7% | $39,700 | $77,530 | 820 |
| 28 | Michigan | $54,640 | −8% | $37,190 | $78,550 | 6,610 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | $49,710 | −16% | $31,620 | $77,560 | 4,150 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $49,300 | −17% | $33,910 | $70,460 | 7,020 |
| 31 | Missouri | $49,080 | −17% | $31,140 | $79,360 | 6,580 |
| 32 | Utah | $48,310 | −19% | $27,660 | $80,320 | 2,870 |
| 33 | Maine | $48,290 | −19% | $35,740 | $63,740 | 2,480 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $48,160 | −19% | $39,240 | $61,420 | 610 |
| 35 | Alabama | $47,600 | −20% | $29,770 | $76,190 | 7,260 |
| 36 | Idaho | $47,320 | −20% | $30,280 | $81,190 | 2,240 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | $46,850 | −21% | $29,390 | $77,050 | 8,120 |
| 38 | Delaware | $46,710 | −21% | $41,960 | $72,160 | 560 |
| 39 | Georgia | $46,550 | −21% | $33,000 | $61,510 | 12,700 |
| 40 | Vermont | $46,430 | −22% | $29,790 | $77,200 | Not published |
| 41 | Kansas | $45,900 | −23% | $32,810 | $76,110 | 3,360 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $42,570 | −28% | $29,130 | $62,150 | 7,780 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $41,590 | −30% | $31,200 | $57,780 | 2,420 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $39,690 | −33% | $28,680 | $60,860 | 2,480 |
| 45 | Minnesota | $38,110 | −36% | $27,510 | $70,380 | 5,810 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $37,940 | −36% | $29,360 | $61,940 | 19,410 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $37,350 | −37% | $29,020 | $51,390 | 900 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $37,150 | −37% | $27,870 | $60,720 | 5,150 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $35,880 | −39% | $26,850 | $51,310 | 2,920 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $33,120 | −44% | $22,510 | $56,670 | 5,230 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Firefighters salary questions
Which state pays firefighters the most?
New York, with a median of $100,960 a year (+70% vs. the national median of $59,280). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays firefighters the least?
Louisiana, with a median of $33,120 a year (−44% vs. national).
Where do most firefighters work?
California has the most jobs, about 31,470, with a median of $85,120.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.