Hey there, would you like to discover the 15 highest-paid fire departments? Then this article is for you. In today’s article, we’ve successfully compiled the highest-paying states for fire departments.
Read through this article till the end. Meanwhile, firefighting is one of the most rewarding careers available today, particularly for those who enjoy helping others while also serving their community.
Although the job might be dangerous and even stressful at times, it is worth it because you will have the opportunity to save lives while also earning a huge paycheck.
Statistics and research show that a firefighter earns around $44,421 per year, which is around $21.05 per hour. Although salaries can vary depending on your experience, level of qualification, where you live, the company, and other factors, they generally follow a similar pattern.
And so, as an entry-level worker, you need to know some of the highest-paid fire departments, as this will enable you to make better decisions.
We understand that selecting the highest-paying fire department can be challenging for you. Not to worry; we’ve got you covered. Check out the next outline for the 15 highest-paid fire departments in 2023 and beyond.
The top 15 Highest Paid Fire Departments
We’ve outlined the 15 best firefighting departments you can work for in 2023 and beyond in this section of the article.
It is, however, worth noting that each state pays its fire department a good amount, but a few states pay better. Below are the highest-paid departments:
Cities Average Pay ($)
1 New Jersey $89,350
2 California $79,810
3 Washington $78,950
4 New York $77,830
5 Connecticut $72,840
6 Hawaii $66,100
7 Oregon $ 64,270
8 Massachusetts $63,910
9 Pennsylvania $63,520
10 Nevada $62,250
11 Maryland $62,200
12 Colorado $61,680
13 Alaska $58,920
14 Rhode Island $58,630
15 Illinois $57,570
Overview of the 15 Highest Paid Fire Departments
1 New Jersey
After careful research, New Jersey stands out as the state with the highest-paid fire department, with an average salary of $89,350.
Compared to other states in the United States, firefighters in New Jersey earn a huge paycheck with other perks and benefits. In the state, fire inspectors and investigators are said to have the highest percentage of high-paying positions among firefighters.
2 California
The second-highest-paying fire department is in California. Firefighters in California earn an average salary of $79,810. Although we’ve seen incomes as high as $156,314 and as low as $21,137, the average firefighter salary in California is currently between $37,849 and $92,903, with the top earners getting $130,261 annually.
3 Washington
The average salary for a fire department in Washington is $78,950. However, you can also earn an income as high as $93,655 or as low as $61,184. The bulk of firefighter wages in Washington, however, range from $65,354 to $83,156, with top earners making $93,406 per year.
New York 4
New York is another city in the United States with the highest-paid fire department. You can earn an average salary of $77,830 in this state. However, you can also receive an income as high as $83,491 or as low as $45,338. Nonetheless, most firefighters in New York earn from $57,841 to $89,779, with the top earners earning $89,650.
5 Connecticut
In Connecticut, the average salary for people in the firefighting department is $72,840. But wages are sometimes as high as $87,443 and as low as $43,152.
According to a review, the average salary for firefighters ranges from $54,727 to $74,859 per year, with the highest earner earning $93,919 per year.
6 Hawaii
As a firefighter in Hawaii, you can earn an average salary of $66,100. However, depending on qualifications and other factors, we’ve seen incomes as high as $165,917 and as low as $22,435; however, top earners in Hawaii earn an average salary of $138,263 per year.
7 Oregon
Oregon is another high-paying city with the highest-paid fire department. Most firefighters earn an average salary of $64,270.
However, we’ve seen people earn up to $153,363 and as low as $18,817. As a result, firefighter salaries in Oregon range from $25,403 to $48,925 per year, with top earners earning $115,256.
8 Massachusetts
The average salary of firefighters in this city is $63,910. While you can also earn as much as $172,752 or as little as $23,360, firefighter salaries in Massachusetts start from $41,829 to $102,673 annually, with the top earner earning $143,960.
9 Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the average salary of fire department workers is $63,520. However, you can earn as high as $63,579 and as low as $21,825. In Pennsylvania, the majority of firefighter salaries currently range from $32,738 to $51,716 per year, with the top earner earning $60,257.
10 Nevada
Nevada also has some of the highest-paid fire departments. In Nevada, you can earn an average salary of $62,250 as a firefighter. However, you can also earn as much as $157,298 or as little as $21,270.
The salary of firefighters in this city, however, ranges from $38,088 to $93,488 annually, with the top earners making $131,082.
11 Maryland
The average salary of firefighters in this state is $62,200. Although you can find a fire department that pays as much as $160,101 or as little as $21,649, Nonetheless, the salaries of firefighters range from $38,766 to $95,153, with the top earner making $133,416 annually.
12 Colorado
Meanwhile, Colorado is among the highest-paid fire departments. In this state, you can earn an average paycheck of $61,680. But you can also find a firm that pays as much as $143,137 or as little as $18,790.
However, firefighter salaries in Colorado currently range between $25,366 and $48,853, with the top earner earning $115,089 per year.
13 Alaska
The average salary of fire department workers in Alaska is $58,920. You can, however, earn as much as $58,831 or as little as $14,957. However, the current salary range for firefighters in this state is from $23,432 to $39,885, with a top earner of $49,357 per year.
14 Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, firefighters earn an average paycheck of $58,630. We have, however, seen people earn as much as $66,894 and as little as $22,964.
Nonetheless, firefighters in Rhode Island earn between $34,445 and $54,413 per year, with the top earner making $63,399 per year.
15 Illinois
Illinois is in the top fifteen highest-paid fire departments with an average salary of $57,570. You can, however, earn up to $85,891 or as little as $18,405 per year.
However, the majority of fire departments in Illinois earn between $27607 and $71,429 per year, with the top earner earning $76,250.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a firefighter?
A firefighter is a person trained to extinguish fires and rescue people from dangerous situations. In addition, they respond to events such as fires, floods, medical incidents, auto accidents, and any dangerous event to assist people in distress.
Is firefighting a good job?
Just like every other career in the world, firefighting is also a good job. It doesn’t only provide you the opportunity to earn a high paycheck and other perks such as medical insurance, life insurance, vision and dental coverage, and many more; you also get to help people, especially if you have a passion for helping others. In essence, firefighting is a good career.
How much do firefighters earn?
Generally, a firefighter can earn around $44,421, which is approximately $21.05 per hour. However, the average salary of firefighters varies due to certain factors. These factors may include age, experience, educational qualification, the company, state law, and more. Nonetheless, you can get yourself a rewarding paycheck if you make use of our highest-paid fire department, as outlined above.
How do I become a firefighter?
Becoming a firefighter requires a series of courses. In addition, you need to meet the requirements of your state as well as those of your employer. However, here are a few things to keep in mind if you are considering a career in this industry:
Meet the Basic Requirement
Bear in mind that you will need to meet the requirements of your employer and the state before you can be approved for this role. For new entry-level firefighters, you must be 18 years of age or older.
Also, you need at least a high school diploma or equivalent and a valid driver’s license for your jurisdiction.
In addition, you need an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification at the time of your application. Note: Male applicants under the age of 25 are expected to enroll in the Selective Service.
Other requirements needed are U.S. citizenship or legal residency and a valid license that allows you to drive vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks.
Get the Right Degree
Secondly, you need to get the right degree. You can obtain a postsecondary degree or certificate in fire science, although it is optional. However, most firms prefer undergraduates with degrees in fire science or related fields.
Getting a postsecondary degree can expand your abilities in management and administration. Plus, you can earn more with a postsecondary degree in fire science compared to those with just a high school diploma certificate.
Attend fire Training
Lastly, you will need to attend fire training to become a successful firefighter. These trains will teach you how to use various firefighting equipment as well as how to extinguish fires.
You can decide to attend the training full-time or part-time, depending on the available options. Note: The firefighter training program will last for a few weeks to several months, depending on how fast you can learn the ins and outs of the job.
Once you’ve completed your training and have the required documents and credentials needed to apply, find a unique fire department of your choice to join.