Firefighters Salary (2025)
Based on 345,990 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $34,910 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $44,490 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $59,280 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $77,250 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $101,040 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$35K
25th
$44K
Median
$59K
75th
$77K
90th
$101K
Highest Paying States for Firefighters
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| California | $95,090 |
| Washington | $89,200 |
| New York | $87,150 |
| New Jersey | $85,810 |
| District of Columbia | $79,550 |
| Colorado | $78,380 |
| Illinois | $76,530 |
| Connecticut | $73,760 |
| Massachusetts | $73,220 |
| Maryland | $72,550 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Firefighters salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is California at an average of $95,090 per year, while Maryland has an average of $72,550 — a difference of $22,540. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Firefighters
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 345,990 workers were employed as Firefighterss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Protective Service Occupations. The annual mean wage of $63,630 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 33-2011