How Much Do Firefighters Make on Average (Salary)

How much do firefighters make? How much does a firefighter make? In a number of scenarios, firefighters give medical assistance. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the majority of calls to firefighters are for medical crises rather than flames. Disaster relief, search-and-rescue operations, and traffic accidents are some of the other sorts of emergency calls that firemen react to.

Dangerous materials (hazmat) units are made up of firemen who are particularly trained in handling and cleaning up oil spills, chemical mishaps, and other potentially hazardous chemicals. In these situations, they collaborate with hazardous materials cleanup workers.

What is a firefighter?

A firefighter, also called a fireman, is a highly trained someone who fights and extinguishes fires. They also take preventative measures, operate as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and investigate fire causes.

A fireman is usually often the first official "on the scene" of a fire, a car accident, or other emergency, which is why they are frequently referred to as "first responders." Some firemen work for a living, while others serve their communities as volunteers.

What does a firefighter do?

A firefighter's principal responsibility is to put out fires. After being notified of a fire, a fireman will put on the proper safety equipment before jumping onboard or driving one of several different types of fire engines. Some of the vehicles take fire victims to emergency medical centers, while others are "aerial ladder" trucks that hoist ladders to upper levels of structures.

After arriving on the scene, each fireman reports to a commanding officer and is assigned a specific job. Hose operators, for example, attach hoses to fire hydrants and direct the water flow towards the fire, while a pump operator regulates the water flow. Tillers are the people that steer the aerial ladders. Others are in charge of entering burning structures in order to save possible casualties. While all firemen must have EMT qualifications, some specialize in stabilizing patients once they have been removed from a burning structure.

A fireman will utilize their EMT skills to care for the injured and secure the area before ambulances and police arrive in the instance of an automobile accident that does not include a fire. In the event of natural catastrophes like as tornadoes, tsunamis, and earthquakes, they also serve as rescuers. Firefighters tend to victims of these tragedies or look for those who have gone missing.

A fireman also serves as a public educator and a fire inspector to help avoid fires. Inspectors ensure that local companies comply with fire rules and that fire escapes, alarms, and sprinkler systems are installed and functioning properly. If arson is suspected, certain firemen are trained as detectives to discover the cause of flames and gather evidence.

Average salary of a firefighter

The average hourly wage for a firefighter in the United States is $21.36 per hour as of September 12, 2021.

The bulk of Firefighter salaries in the United States presently vary between $16.59 (25th percentile) to $26.20 (75th percentile). The average salary for a firefighter varies considerably (up to $9.62), implying that there can be several chances for promotion and improved income dependent on skill level, area, and years of experience.

The Firefighter employment market in Geneva, IL and the surrounding region is thriving. A firefighter in your region earns $21 per hour on average, which is $0.47 (2%) less than the national average hourly wage of $21.36. Illinois is ranked 47th out of 50 states in terms of firefighter pay.

• Firefighters earn an average yearly salary of $48,897.
• Wages typically start from $24,569 per year and go up to $97,316 per year.

Firefighters often receive paid sick leave, vacation time, and retirement benefits as part of their compensation.

Information provided by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (source).

Average firefighter salaries by state

• Alaska: $52,460 per year.
• Alabama: $40,323 per year.
• Arkansas: $34,940 per year.
• Arizona: $44,190 per year.
• California: $74,700 per year.
• Colorado: $59,090 per year.
• Connecticut: $64,956 per year.
• Delaware: $46,960 per year.
• Florida: $53,340 per year.
• Georgia: $37,240 per year.
• Hawaii: $56,015 per year.
• Iowa: $43,970 per year.
• Idaho: $38,961 per year.
• Illinois: $54,441 per year.
• Indiana: $49,460 per year.
• Kansas: $35,522 per year.
• Kentucky: $35,512 per year.
• Louisiana: $28,200 per year.
• Massachusetts: $59,330 per year.
• Maryland: $59,870 per year.
• Maine: $34,210 per year.
• Michigan: $45,440 per year.
• Minnesota: $30,560 per year.
• Missouri: $47,750 per year.
• Mississippi: $28,690 per year.
• Montana: $50,400 per year.
• North Carolina: $32,590 per year.
• North Dakota: $44,130 per year.
• Nebraska: $50,060 per year.
• New Hampshire: $48,540 per year.
• New Jersey: $76,380 per year.
• New Mexico: $35,860 per year.
• Nevada: $64,920 per year.
• New York: $81,240 per year.
• Ohio: $45,910 per year.
• Oklahoma: $41,970 per year.
• Oregon$67,820 per year.
• Pennsylvania: $56,090 per year.
• Puerto Rico: $25,460 per year.
• Rhode Island: $55,900 per year.
• South Carolina: $35,230 per year.
• South Dakota: $40,470 per year.
• Tennessee: $39,610 per year.
• Texas: $51,240 per year.
• Utah: $36,100 per year.
• Virginia: $49,110 per year.
• Vermont: $34,730 per year.
• Washington: $75,200 per year.
• Wisconsin: $35,130 per year.
• West Virginia: $35,340 per year.
• Wyoming: $43,940 per year.

Monthly wages on average

The national average is $3,701 per month.

Weekly wages on average

The national average is $854 per week.

Hourly wages on average

The national average $21 per hour.

Related job titles

• Fire inspector.
• Forest and conservation worker.
• Hazardous material removal worker.
• Police officer.
• Detective.
• EMT.
• Paramedic.

Favorite Resources

Our favorite resources are included below.

Job interview resources

• Common Interview Questions by Marquette University
• Prepare for Behavioral Interview Questions by Marquette University
• Preparing for Job Interviews by the University of Kansas
• Mock Interview Handbook by CSUCI
• Interview Guidebook by Lebanon Valley College

Resume and cover letter resources

• Writing a Resume and Cover Letter by USC
• Resume Writing Tips by the University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Resume and Cover Letter Guide by Harvard University

Job search resources

• Building and Engaging Your Network by UC Berkeley
• Career Ready Assessment by UC Berkeley

Interview Question and Answer Guide (PDF)

Get our full interview preparation guide. Complete with common interview questions and example answers. Free. No email required.

Grab the PDF