Firefighter / EMT Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$60,000
national median salary
$44,000 to $77,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $59,280 for Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) across the United States, based on 345,990 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$34,910
25th percentile
$44,490
Median
$59,280
75th percentile
$77,250
90th percentile
$101,040
Workers surveyed
345,990
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$59,530
May 2025 release
$59,280
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) rather than Firefighter / EMTspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 33-2011Highest Paying
$83,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$63,000
Princeton, NJ
Lowest Paying
$46,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 33-2011. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Firefighter / EMT salary in the United States at $60,000 in 2026, within a range of $44,000 to $77,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $83,000, while Princeton offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Geographic location and department type create the largest pay differences.
Firefighter / EMT salary by city.
Skills that increase Firefighter / EMT pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Firefighter / EMTs based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $8,400 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$8,400 per year
≈ +$7,800 per year
≈ +$7,200 per year
≈ +$6,600 per year
≈ +$6,600 per year
≈ +$6,000 per year
≈ +$6,000 per year
≈ +$5,400 per year
What you should know.
Geographic location and department type create the largest pay differences. Urban departments in high-cost metros pay 40 to 60% more than rural volunteer or small-town departments. Paramedic certification, hazmat specialization, and technical rescue qualifications add meaningful premiums. Union representation strongly influences base pay and overtime rules.
Probationary firefighters start at $40,000 to $48,000. Senior firefighters and paramedics earn $53,000 to $70,000 after four to six years. Lieutenants reach $65,000 to $85,000, captains earn $75,000 to $100,000, and battalion chiefs earn $95,000 to $130,000.
Overtime and specialty pay can add 20 to 40% to base salary through Kelly Day scheduling and mandatory overtime. Pension benefits are among the strongest in public service, with many departments offering retirement at 50 to 55 with 50 to 70% salary replacement. Health coverage is typically comprehensive.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Firefighter / EMTs typically earn $54,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
Are you a Firefighter / EMT?
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Common questions about Firefighter / EMT pay.
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