Throughout history, firefighters have been seen as brave and selfless individuals – they rush into the scene of an emergency while everyone else is running away. When you see them in action, it’s easy to forget that these heroes have bills to pay and families to support. So what does a career as a firefighter look like when it comes to finance, and how much do firefighters make?
Here, we explore the various factors that influence a firefighter’s salary – from experience levels and location of employment to statistics on firefighter salary and highest paid departments. Read on for the details!
Firefighter Salary Statistics
- The average firefighter salary in the US is $50,700 a year.
- Firefighters in the US receive an average of $26.58 per hour.
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing is the best-paid industry for firefighters.
- With $84,930 a year, New Jersey is the best-paid state for firefighters in the US.
- Women firefighters earn 98¢ for every $1 earned by men.
- Switzerland is the country with the highest-paid firefighters in the world.
How Much Do Firefighters Make?
The average firefighter salary in the US is $50,700 a year. Depending on experience levels and location of employment, the average firefighter’s income ranges from $29,030 to $81,640 a year.
Statistics show that 10% of US firefighters earn less than the average minimum wage, while 25% earn less than $37,140 a year. Additionally, 90% make under $81,640, which is the highest average annual firefighting income currently paid in the US.
Only 10% of firefighters have an annual income of $81,640 which is much lower than the average salary of financial advisors or bankers who do not risk their lives on a daily basis.
Projections about the occupation indicate an expected growth of 4% which is in line with the average growth of most US professions. At present, over 326,000 Americans are receiving firefighting wages, and expectations are that by 2031, around 28,000 jobs will be created every year.
How Much Money Do Firefighters Make an Hour?
According to some sources, the average salary of a firefighter goes as high as $33.17 per hour. The US Bureau of Labor, however, says that firefighters in the US were paid an average of $26.58 per hour.
The hourly salaries of firemen vary based on factors like location and experience but also certifications, fire department size, and union membership. But as with the lowest and even highest paying jobs, the type of industry the firefighter operates in has a lot to do with their income.
For instance, industries like medical and aerospace manufacturing offer much better hourly firefighters’ pay rates than, say, support services like farming or sales. These are the best-paying industries for firefighters:
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing – $31.68
- Generical Medical and Surgical Hospitals – $30.05
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools – $29.35
- Facilities Support Services – $28.11
- Local Government (OEWS Designation) – $27.23
- Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) – $ 26.75
Firefighter Salary by State
Firefighters’ salary differences among US states can sometimes be drastic. California, for example, has one of the highest average pay of $80,990 a year, while Louisiana pays its firefighters an average salary of $33,400 annually.
Note that this is not because of the difference in danger levels, but because of laws and regulations applied to the salaries of firefighters. For example, California has some of the highest minimum wages for public servants, so it’s no surprise that firefighters in Bear Flag State make more than those employed in other states.
Other states where a fireman’s salary is above the average include:
- New Jersey – $84,930
- California – $80,990
- Washington – $76,280
- New York – $72,670
- Colorado – $68,300
Highest Paid Fire Departments by City
The area where firefighters work can also influence their income significantly. The highest-paying departments are in the cities of San Jose and San Francisco, both located in California, which is one of the states with the highest risk of wildfires. Here, the fireman’s salary is over $90,000 a year on average.
By area, the top highest-paid fire departments are located in California.
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA – $114,210
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA – $98,150
- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA – $97,470
- Modesto, CA – $95,600
- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA – $92,160
- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA – $91,660
How Much Money Do Firefighters Make a Year by Gender?
Data revals that women working in protective service occupations are paid 76¢ for every dollar men make. Firefighter salary statistics reveal that the gender pay gap in this occupation is not that wide. In fact, women firefighters earn 98¢ for every $1 earned by men.
The average salary of a female firefighter is $57,851, while that of men is higher by less than 2k and stands at $59,312 a year. Data further reveals that firefighting is a male-dominated profession, and only about 18% of all US firefighters were women.
Firefighter Salary by Experience Level
Having experience in the firefighting profession can significantly increase salaries, as it’s the case with most jobs. According to certifications, the average firefighter salary for Level 1 is $49,397. More senior firefighters or those in leadership positions may earn as high as $87,614.
Here’s how much firefighters make a year based on experience and job position:
- Level 1 Fire Fighter – $49,397
- Level 2 Fire Fighter – $64,094
- Fire Captain – $87,614
- Fire Inspector – $70,811
- Fire Prevention Engineer – $63,102
- Fire Inspector Supervisor – $84,463
- Emergency Dispatcher – $41,843
- Security Guard Team Leader – $58,477
- Emergency Response Planning Specialist – $110,561
- Security Manager – $105,961
Highest Paid Firefighters in the World
Switzerland is the country with the highest-paid firefighters in the world, with an annual salary of $102,000. In Zurich, more experienced firefighters earn even higher. The US comes second, while Canada is third with 65,000 CAD a year.
Other countries that pay good firefighter salaries are Japan, Australia, Germany, the UK, and New Zealand.
Do Firefighters Make Good Money?
Overall, firefighters make a good living, with salaries significantly above the national average in many US states and cities. In some states like California, Washington, and New Jersey, firefighters may even make a six-figure salary if they work long enough to progress up the ranks and gain experience.
The job also comes with generous benefits packages such as health insurance, retirement plans, and vacation days which all add to the overall compensation. So, yes, the bottom line is that firefighters do make good money, and the added benefits make the job even more attractive for those looking to get into the profession.