Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) employed 345,990 people in May 2025. The median pay is $59,280 a year ($28.50 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,910 and the highest-paid 10% more than $101,040. BLS projects its employment to change by +3.7% between 2025 and 2035 (about 26,800 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest median pay: New York ($100,960), Washington ($94,520), California ($85,120). Most jobs: California (31,470), Texas (28,170), Florida (24,570).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,910 | $16.78 |
| 25th percentile | $44,490 | $21.39 |
| Median | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Mean | $63,630 | $30.59 |
| 75th percentile | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $101,040 | $48.58 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 355,300 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 368,400 |
| Change in jobs | 13,100 |
| Percent change | +3.7% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 26,800 |
| Self-employed share | n/a |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 7,260 | 1.54 | $47,600 | $29,770 | $76,190 | -20% | 27% |
| Alaska | 1,040 | 1.43 | $58,830 | $35,520 | $82,360 | -1% | 29% |
| Arizona | 7,500 | 1.04 | $59,280 | $36,700 | $88,220 | +0% | 34% |
| Arkansas | 2,480 | 0.86 | $39,690 | $28,680 | $60,860 | -33% | 30% |
| California | 31,470 | 0.78 | $85,120 | $52,390 | $136,150 | +44% | 30% |
| Colorado | 6,510 | 1.02 | $74,170 | $47,000 | $114,170 | +25% | 29% |
| Connecticut | 2,970 | 0.79 | $77,630 | $51,320 | $85,500 | +31% | 24% |
| Delaware | 560 | 0.52 | $46,710 | $41,960 | $72,160 | -21% | 39% |
| District of Columbia | 1,480 | 0.95 | $75,870 | $61,050 | $99,760 | +28% | 31% |
| Florida | 24,570 | 1.11 | $58,550 | $37,260 | $93,310 | -1% | 37% |
| Georgia | 12,700 | 1.17 | $46,550 | $33,000 | $61,510 | -21% | 39% |
| Idaho | 2,240 | 1.17 | $47,320 | $30,280 | $81,190 | -20% | 35% |
| Illinois | 18,400 | 1.36 | $78,380 | $38,900 | $106,060 | +32% | 20% |
| Indiana | 8,530 | 1.20 | $62,780 | $38,460 | $81,890 | +6% | 21% |
| Iowa | 2,170 | 0.63 | $55,810 | $32,240 | $87,720 | -6% | 21% |
| Kansas | 3,360 | 1.05 | $45,900 | $32,810 | $76,110 | -23% | 28% |
| Kentucky | 5,150 | 1.16 | $37,150 | $27,870 | $60,720 | -37% | 32% |
| Louisiana | 5,230 | 1.22 | $33,120 | $22,510 | $56,670 | -44% | 39% |
| Maine | 2,480 | 1.74 | $48,290 | $35,740 | $63,740 | -19% | 30% |
| Maryland | 5,340 | 0.87 | $73,810 | $48,030 | $98,770 | +25% | 28% |
| Massachusetts | 11,940 | 1.48 | $72,800 | $49,730 | $98,130 | +23% | 30% |
| Michigan | 6,610 | 0.67 | $54,640 | $37,190 | $78,550 | -8% | 26% |
| Minnesota | 5,810 | 0.89 | $38,110 | $27,510 | $70,380 | -36% | 41% |
| Mississippi | 2,920 | 1.13 | $35,880 | $26,850 | $51,310 | -39% | 33% |
| Missouri | 6,580 | 1.01 | $49,080 | $31,140 | $79,360 | -17% | 26% |
| Montana | 1,010 | 0.89 | $59,310 | $32,810 | $76,620 | +0% | 24% |
| Nebraska | 1,070 | 0.47 | $61,040 | $46,660 | $69,460 | +3% | 22% |
| Nevada | 2,640 | 0.77 | $66,570 | $47,600 | $101,450 | +12% | 31% |
| New Hampshire | 2,700 | 1.77 | $56,620 | $35,450 | $78,570 | -4% | 33% |
| New Jersey | 7,500 | 0.79 | $84,130 | $47,920 | $123,940 | +42% | 26% |
| New Mexico | 2,420 | 1.25 | $41,590 | $31,200 | $57,780 | -30% | 32% |
| New York | 12,950 | 0.60 | $100,960 | $56,390 | $106,440 | +70% | 19% |
| North Carolina | 19,410 | 1.77 | $37,940 | $29,360 | $61,940 | -36% | 42% |
| North Dakota | 820 | 0.86 | $55,080 | $39,700 | $77,530 | -7% | 21% |
| Ohio | 18,100 | 1.47 | $59,370 | $34,420 | $84,010 | +0% | 22% |
| Oklahoma | 4,150 | 1.09 | $49,710 | $31,620 | $77,560 | -16% | 25% |
| Oregon | 3,790 | 0.87 | $70,900 | $38,800 | $104,070 | +20% | 27% |
| Pennsylvania | 5,020 | 0.37 | $73,460 | $48,620 | $89,190 | +24% | 20% |
| Rhode Island | 1,620 | 1.46 | $67,380 | $56,110 | $76,620 | +14% | 25% |
| South Carolina | 7,780 | 1.52 | $42,570 | $29,130 | $62,150 | -28% | 36% |
| South Dakota | 610 | 0.60 | $48,160 | $39,240 | $61,420 | -19% | 25% |
| Tennessee | 7,020 | 0.96 | $49,300 | $33,910 | $70,460 | -17% | 31% |
| Texas | 28,170 | 0.90 | $60,180 | $40,020 | $77,170 | +2% | 29% |
| Utah | 2,870 | 0.74 | $48,310 | $27,660 | $80,320 | -19% | 40% |
| Virginia | 11,160 | 1.22 | $58,670 | $38,310 | $77,310 | -1% | 34% |
| Washington | 7,560 | 0.96 | $94,520 | $47,640 | $123,980 | +59% | 23% |
| West Virginia | 900 | 0.58 | $37,350 | $29,020 | $51,390 | -37% | 28% |
| Wisconsin | 8,120 | 1.24 | $46,850 | $29,390 | $77,050 | -21% | 29% |
| Wyoming | 680 | 1.09 | $58,090 | $39,550 | $78,760 | -2% | 21% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,330 | $152,100 | $59,680 | $181,270 | 0.53 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 3,450 | $113,700 | $77,070 | $139,590 | 0.65 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 14,960 | $106,420 | $56,390 | $115,380 | 0.71 |
| Bellingham, WA | 320 | $101,130 | $61,690 | $117,990 | 1.56 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 3,760 | $101,090 | $73,360 | $124,000 | 0.81 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 300 | $99,930 | $58,330 | $108,250 | 0.79 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 7,200 | $98,050 | $58,710 | $150,760 | 0.52 |
| Vallejo, CA | 330 | $95,950 | $46,160 | $134,370 | 1.04 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 2,590 | $94,080 | $54,120 | $151,020 | 1.08 |
| Rochester, NY | 730 | $89,120 | $57,280 | $93,810 | 0.66 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 340 | $88,090 | $48,160 | $101,840 | 0.64 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 3,010 | $87,980 | $60,980 | $122,750 | 0.84 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 310 | $87,400 | $41,380 | $120,820 | 0.68 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 1,730 | $85,170 | $58,250 | $110,570 | 0.64 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 750 | $83,310 | $44,030 | $124,400 | 1.31 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 14,560 | $82,820 | $42,080 | $112,930 | 1.45 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 410 | $82,250 | $58,240 | $125,620 | 0.91 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 840 | $81,680 | $63,900 | $86,150 | 0.93 |
| Reno, NV | 780 | $81,360 | $47,520 | $121,090 | 1.26 |
| Salinas, CA | 760 | $81,070 | $51,540 | $122,590 | 1.82 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | 400 | $80,560 | $39,060 | $125,080 | 1.06 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 360 | $80,090 | $37,750 | $98,360 | 1.26 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 320 | $79,540 | $65,110 | $131,710 | 0.49 |
| Boulder, CO | 360 | $79,390 | $47,730 | $107,200 | 0.85 |
| New Haven, CT | 570 | $79,380 | $63,600 | $86,150 | 0.91 |
| Fresno, CA | 770 | $79,160 | $51,020 | $132,060 | 0.72 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 3,390 | $79,160 | $56,410 | $108,730 | 0.89 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 3,970 | $78,050 | $47,580 | $89,190 | 0.62 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 660 | $77,400 | $49,760 | $97,150 | 0.92 |
| Lubbock, TX | 410 | $77,290 | $48,300 | $91,010 | 1.11 |
| Rockford, IL | 410 | $77,150 | $34,430 | $88,910 | 1.34 |
| Boise City, ID | 740 | $76,280 | $32,810 | $82,030 | 0.85 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 930 | $75,990 | $49,120 | $85,500 | 0.70 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 390 | $75,910 | $51,540 | $101,150 | 1.45 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 420 | $75,860 | $53,520 | $76,390 | 0.84 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 6,600 | $75,710 | $48,530 | $116,390 | 1.05 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 490 | $74,870 | $49,310 | $95,930 | 2.32 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 820 | $74,470 | $48,120 | $80,920 | 0.69 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 8,510 | $73,990 | $49,700 | $118,540 | 1.42 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 2,510 | $73,810 | $48,500 | $98,210 | 0.83 |
| Peoria, IL | 490 | $73,670 | $36,150 | $102,960 | 1.32 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 300 | $73,020 | $45,020 | $80,770 | 0.36 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 600 | $72,760 | $51,110 | $110,120 | 1.59 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 780 | $72,410 | $49,120 | $470,940 | 1.04 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 300 | $72,280 | $38,800 | $81,880 | 0.85 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 950 | $72,230 | $49,160 | $76,070 | 0.38 |
| Chico, CA | 350 | $71,830 | $54,120 | $96,360 | 2.01 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,880 | $70,900 | $56,830 | $99,130 | 0.84 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 480 | $70,840 | $46,660 | $82,190 | 0.48 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 2,680 | $68,970 | $39,220 | $102,010 | 0.90 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 3,740 | $68,480 | $43,410 | $89,060 | 1.52 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 7,610 | $66,980 | $48,360 | $98,770 | 1.09 |
| Evansville, IN | 330 | $66,840 | $41,600 | $79,110 | 1.11 |
| Springfield, MA | 830 | $66,720 | $54,330 | $75,100 | 1.86 |
| Worcester, MA | 1,360 | $66,310 | $44,900 | $82,060 | 1.75 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 2,550 | $66,150 | $50,860 | $76,430 | 1.60 |
| Redding, CA | 410 | $65,170 | $51,540 | $101,090 | 2.55 |
| Visalia, CA | 480 | $65,170 | $34,320 | $92,930 | 1.26 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 380 | $64,980 | $40,590 | $99,550 | 1.73 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 8,780 | $64,900 | $48,460 | $92,700 | 0.97 |
The median is $59,280 a year ($28.50 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $34,910 and the highest-paid tenth over $101,040 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
345,990 in May 2025, and BLS projects +3.7% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Postsecondary nondegree award (BLS).
New York, with a median of $100,960 (among states with published figures).