Firefighter Salary in US 2024 – Per Month, Category Wise
In the United States, the average salary for firefighters in 2024 was about $50,700. The highest 25% earned around $72,200, and the lowest 25% made $38,027, showing the diverse firefighter salary in US.
A skilled professional, known as a Firefighter or Fireman, plays a pivotal role in rescuing individuals, property, and communities from fire-related dangers, whether caused by natural disasters or human activities. Their expertise involves controlling and extinguishing fires while also serving as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to address immediate medical needs.
Table of Content
- Firefighter salary in US: State wise
- Firefighter salary in US: experience wise
- Firefighter salary in US: Designation Wise
- Firefighter Salaries: Company wise
- Firefighter Salary in US: Eligibility
- Top Skills required for Firefighters in US
- 5 Duties of a Firefighter
Firefighter salary in US: State wise
State plays an important role when deciding the salary of a firefighter. A firefighter working in metro state will be paid more than the one working in tier2 or tier3 states. mentioned below are the firefighter salary by State of US.
State | Annual salary(USD) |
---|---|
Alabama | $52,450 |
Alaska | $78,230 |
Arizona | $62,170 |
Arkansas | $47,800 |
California | $79,520 |
Colorado | $64,390 |
Connecticut | $74,100 |
Delaware | $69,210 |
Florida | $56,980 |
Georgia | $54,100 |
Hawaii | $70,450 |
Idaho | $59,320 |
Illinois | $69,740 |
Indiana | $57,500 |
Iowa | $58,110 |
Kansas | $59,870 |
Kentucky | $51,230 |
Louisiana | $52,760 |
Maine | $59,490 |
Maryland | $74,850 |
Massachusetts | $77,310 |
Michigan | $63,200 |
Minnesota | $67,850 |
Mississippi | $45,780 |
Missouri | $57,290 |
Montana | $60,560 |
Nebraska | $58,930 |
Nevada | $71,840 |
New Hampshire | $64,270 |
New Jersey | $78,910 |
New Mexico | $58,570 |
New York | $79,830 |
North Carolina | $53,740 |
North Dakota | $64,090 |
Ohio | $62,540 |
Oklahoma | $54,960 |
Oregon | $66,720 |
Pennsylvania | $66,470 |
Rhode Island | $70,120 |
South Carolina | $53,210 |
South Dakota | $60,790 |
Tennessee | $54,850 |
Texas | $59,300 |
Utah | $63,640 |
Vermont | $63,900 |
Virginia | $64,920 |
Washington | $74,480 |
West Virginia | $52,100 |
Wisconsin | $63,080 |
Wyoming | $64,700 |
Firefighter salary in US: Experience wise
Experienced firefighters are compensated more than freshers because of their skills and expertise. It is one of the major factors that determines the salary. Mentioned below is the list of firefighter’s salary based on experience in US.
Factor |
Average Salary Range (USD) |
---|---|
Freshers |
$37,000 to $39,000 |
Mid-level |
$50,000 to $51,000 |
Experienced |
$71,000 to $73,000 |
Firefighter salary in US: Designation Wise
In the fire department, there are many designations with similar roles and duties. Firefighting is an evolving profession with different salary range depending on varied designations. The salaries of top firefighter salaries are mentioned below:
Designation | Average annual salary (USD) |
---|---|
Firefighter | $57,850 |
Fire Captain/Lieutenant | $72,560 |
Fire Engineer | $75,420 |
Fire Inspector | $77,390 |
Fire Chief | $98,270 |
Firefighter Salaries: Company wise
Firefighters are hired by not just government organizations but also many private companies. Mentioned below is the list of top companies hiring firefighters and the salaries paid.
Department Type | Average Annual Salary Range |
---|---|
Municipal Fire Departments: | $52,000 – $78,000 |
County Fire Departments: | $53,000 – $75,000 |
State Fire Departments: | $55,000 – $80,000 |
Federal Fire Departments: | $58,000 – $90,000+ |
Firefighter Salary in US: Eligibility
Firefighter salary in the US depends on eligibility factors like:
- Citizenship: US citizen or green card holder required.
- Age: Typically over 18, some departments require 21+.
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent (some prefer associate’s degree).
- Physical fitness: Must pass rigorous physical tests.
- Vision: No uncorrected vision problems, correctable to 20/20.
- Hearing: No significant hearing loss.
- Criminal background: Must pass background checks.
- Driver’s license: Valid driver’s license required.
Top Skills required for Firefighters in US
In this investigation, we get into the necessary abilities that firemen need to develop to handle modern emergencies.
Firefighter’s Skills |
Details |
---|---|
Fire Fighting |
A firefighter’s toolbox starts with fundamental techniques. This entails –
|
Fire Safety |
Firefighting emphasizes prevention and response equally.
|
Tech Services |
Technology has tremendously altered emergency response.
|
Networking |
Effective emergency response requires communication.
|
Analytical |
In situations, firefighters must swiftly and properly assess the situation.
|
Operations |
Structured and successful emergency response requires efficient operations.
|
Aviation |
Cooperation with aircraft units becomes critical in specific emergency scenarios.
|
Safety Management |
The proactive skill of safety management goes beyond what is normally associated with firefighting.
|
Petrochemical |
As industrial processes become more sophisticated, firemen in petrochemical environments may face hazardous compound situations.
|
Finance |
Financial skills are increasingly needed for firefighters and fire organizations.
|
Incident |
Incident command systems training is essential for firefighters so they can efficiently manage and coordinate responses to a wide range of incidents.
|
Industrial Safety |
In a wide variety of industrial settings, where complicated and dangerous circumstances are more likely to occur, firefighters with training in industrial safety are better able to respond to emergencies.
|
Radio |
In times of crisis, the ability to communicate effectively is crucial.
|
Emergency |
In addition to responding to fires, firefighters frequently arrive on the scene of many other types of crises.
|
Airport |
Airport fire stations have their own set of specific issues that their firefighters must be well-versed in.
|
5 Duties of a Firefighter
- They must be flexible with their time.
- They must work effectively as a team to succeed.
- The Fire departments must be ready 24/7.
- They must have strong interpersonal and communication abilities.
- They should be ready to work in dangerous and stressful situations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, firefighters in the USA earn an average annual salary of $57,850, ranging from $45,500 to $90,000+. These figures illustrate that experience, location, and department size affect firefighter compensation. The salary gap reflects the varied expectations and responsibilities firefighters face across the country. Some make less in smaller towns or rural areas, while others command higher salaries in larger cities or specialized units like forestry or aviation. The average annual compensation of $57,850 provides a general salary expectation for firefighters who safeguard communities from fires and emergencies.
FAQs: Firefighter Salary in US
1. What is the average annual salary range for firefighters in the US?
In the US, firefighters earn between $45,500 and $90,000+, with a national median of $57,850. Salaries vary based on experience, location, department size, specialization, and union representation.
2. What factors determine the salary of firefighters in the US?
Firefighter salaries depend on factors like experience, location, department size, specialization, and union representation. Individual departments may have unique wage scales and bonus structures.
3. What are the top designations and their corresponding average annual salaries for firefighters in the US?
In the US, firefighters earn an average of $57,850, while designations like Fire Captain/Lieutenant average $72,560, Fire Engineer $75,420, Fire Inspector $77,390, and Fire Chief $98,270. Actual salaries vary.
4. How does geographical location affect firefighter salaries in the US?
Geographical location significantly influences US firefighter salaries. Major cities offer higher averages (over $80,000), while smaller towns or rural areas average around $50,000, reflecting differences in living costs and department budgets.
5. What are the essential skills required for firefighters in the US?
US firefighters need proficiency in firefighting techniques, physical fitness, decision-making, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and mental resilience to handle stress and emergencies effectively.
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