How Much Money Firefighters Earn in Every State

When an explosion, fire or other disaster strikes, most people run away — but not firefighters. They run toward the danger.

Although firefighters are generally well-respected for their commitment, the profession doesn’t always pay well.

The average annual wage for firefighters was $56,360 as of 2020, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Firefighters in a few states have annual wages nearing $90,000; firefighters in many other states are paid less than half that.

Following are the average annual wages that firefighters received in 49 states, starting with the lowest paid. Data for Vermont is not available.

Curious about law enforcement salaries? We also covered “How Much Police Make in Every State.”

49. Mississippi

Number of jobs: 3,320
Average annual wage: $31,630
Average hourly wage: $15.21

48. Louisiana

Number of jobs: 6,230
Average annual wage: $32,580
Average hourly wage: $15.66

47. North Carolina

Number of jobs: 14,910
Average annual wage: $34,230
Average hourly wage: $16.46

46. Kentucky

Number of jobs: 4,110
Average annual wage: $34,580
Average hourly wage: $16.62

45. West Virginia

Number of jobs: 830
Average annual wage: $37,030
Average hourly wage: $17.80

44. Kansas

Number of jobs: 3,440
Average annual wage: $37,800
Average hourly wage: $18.17

43. South Carolina

Number of jobs: 5,750
Average annual wage: $37,980
Average hourly wage: $18.26

42. Georgia

Number of jobs: 11,000
Average annual wage: $38,400
Average hourly wage: $18.46

41. New Mexico

Number of jobs: 2,300
Average annual wage: $38,400
Average hourly wage: $18.46

40. Arkansas

Number of jobs: 2,180
Average annual wage: $39,730
Average hourly wage: $19.10

39. Maine

Number of jobs: 2,130
Average annual wage: $40,020

Average hourly wage: $19.24

38. Utah

Number of jobs: 2,170
Average annual wage: $40,050
Average hourly wage: $19.26

37. Idaho

Number of jobs: 1,880
Average annual wage: $40,720
Average hourly wage: $19.58

36. Minnesota

Number of jobs: 6,480
Average annual wage: $41,180
Average hourly wage: $19.80

35. Alabama

Number of jobs: 6,250
Average annual wage: $42,000
Average hourly wage: $20.19

34. Wisconsin

Number of jobs: 8,500
Average annual wage: $42,690
Average hourly wage: $20.52

33. Oklahoma

Number of jobs: 3,570
Average annual wage: $44,410
Average hourly wage: $21.35

32. Tennessee

Number of jobs: 5,330
Average annual wage: $45,600
Average hourly wage: $21.92

31. South Dakota

Number of jobs: 550
Average annual wage: $46,890
Average hourly wage: $22.54

30. Delaware

Number of jobs: 500
Average annual wage: $46,970
Average hourly wage: $22.58

29. Arizona

Number of jobs: 6,230
Average annual wage: $47,590

Average hourly wage: $22.88

28. New Hampshire

Number of jobs: 2,430
Average annual wage: $47,870
Average hourly wage: $23.02

27. Wyoming

Number of jobs: 610
Average annual wage: $48,030
Average hourly wage: $23.09

26. Iowa

Number of jobs: 1,810
Average annual wage: $48,330
Average hourly wage: $23.23

25. Michigan

Number of jobs: 6,570
Average annual wage: $49,170
Average hourly wage: $23.64

24. North Dakota

Number of jobs: 750
Average annual wage: $49,600
Average hourly wage: $23.85

23. Ohio

Number of jobs: 17,580
Average annual wage: $50,440
Average hourly wage: $24.25

22. Missouri

Number of jobs: 5,900
Average annual wage: $51,970
Average hourly wage: $24.98

21. Indiana

Number of jobs: 8,130
Average annual wage: $52,630
Average hourly wage: $25.30

20. Florida

Number of jobs: 19,000
Average annual wage: $52,720
Average hourly wage: $25.35

19. Nebraska

Number of jobs: 960
Average annual wage: $52,880

Average hourly wage: $25.42

18. Montana

Number of jobs: 740
Average annual wage: $53,560
Average hourly wage: $25.75

17. Virginia

Number of jobs: 9,680
Average annual wage: $55,620
Average hourly wage: $26.74

16. Texas

Number of jobs: 24,690
Average annual wage: $56,610
Average hourly wage: $27.21

15. Alaska

Number of jobs: 850
Average annual wage: $56,970
Average hourly wage: $27.39

14. Rhode Island

Number of jobs: 1,370
Average annual wage: $57,750
Average hourly wage: $27.76

13. Illinois

Number of jobs: 14,280
Average annual wage: $60,160
Average hourly wage: $28.92

12. Pennsylvania

Number of jobs: 4,410
Average annual wage: $61,000
Average hourly wage: $29.33

11. Colorado

Number of jobs: 5,620
Average annual wage: $63,160
Average hourly wage: $30.36

10. Oregon

Number of jobs: 4,310
Average annual wage: $63,680
Average hourly wage: $30.61

9. Nevada

Number of jobs: 1,750
Average annual wage: $64,410

Average hourly wage: $30.97

8. Maryland

Number of jobs: 4,730
Average annual wage: $64,490
Average hourly wage: $31.00

7. Massachusetts

Number of jobs: 10,870
Average annual wage: $65,310
Average hourly wage: $31.40

6. Connecticut

Number of jobs: 2,770
Average annual wage: $67,630
Average hourly wage: $32.51

5. Hawaii

Number of jobs: 1,810
Average annual wage: $68,590
Average hourly wage: $32.97

4. New York

Number of jobs: 14,200
Average annual wage: $77,380
Average hourly wage: $37.20

3. Washington

Number of jobs: 6,520
Average annual wage: $77,700
Average hourly wage: $37.36

2. California

Number of jobs: 32,600
Average annual wage: $86,860
Average hourly wage: $41.76

1. New Jersey

Number of jobs: 6,800
Average annual wage: $86,880
Average hourly wage: $41.77