California again leads — LA, SF, and Bay Area firefighter base + overtime tops $200K.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for Firefighters. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $46,900 | $34,000 | $64,300 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $58,300 | $42,300 | $79,900 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $67,100 | $48,700 | $91,900 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $80,500 | $58,400 | $110,200 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $91,200 | $66,200 | $124,900 |
Top 10 states by median Firefighter salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $110,600 | $84,100 | $143,800 | +65% |
| Washington DC | $93,900 | $71,400 | $122,000 | +40% |
| Massachusetts | $87,200 | $66,300 | $113,300 | +30% |
| New York | $87,200 | $66,300 | $113,300 | +30% |
| Washington | $87,200 | $66,300 | $113,300 | +30% |
| New Jersey | $84,500 | $64,200 | $109,800 | +26% |
| Nevada | $83,800 | $63,700 | $109,000 | +25% |
| Connecticut | $81,100 | $61,700 | $105,500 | +21% |
| Maryland | $80,500 | $61,200 | $104,600 | +20% |
| Colorado | $78,500 | $59,600 | $102,000 | +17% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $57,000 | $43,300 | $74,100 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $56,300 | $42,800 | $73,200 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $56,300 | $42,800 | $73,200 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $56,300 | $42,800 | $73,200 | -16% |
| Alabama | $55,700 | $42,300 | $72,400 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $55,700 | $42,300 | $72,400 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $53,600 | $40,800 | $69,700 | -20% |
| South Dakota | $53,600 | $40,800 | $69,700 | -20% |
| West Virginia | $52,300 | $39,800 | $68,000 | -22% |
| Mississippi | $43,600 | $33,100 | $56,700 | -35% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
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