how much do firefighters make?

TLDR: Firefighter salaries in the U.S. vary widely, with a national average of $57,120 according to the BLS, while other sources report higher figures. Salaries depend on factors like experience, location, and agency, with significant disparities across states.

Firefighter salaries in the United States can vary significantly based on several factors, including location, experience, and the specific agency of employment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for firefighters was $57,120 as of May 2023, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $31,600 and the highest 10 percent earning more than $93,720. Other sources, such as Salary.com, report a median salary of $70,961, highlighting the variability in reported figures due to different data collection methods.

Salaries also differ by experience level, with junior firefighters earning around $52,408, middle-level firefighters earning $57,722, and senior firefighters averaging $57,340. Additionally, state-specific salaries show considerable variation; for instance, firefighters in California earn an average of $78,350, while those in Arkansas earn about $36,470. Recent federal reforms aim to address pay disparities and improve compensation for federal firefighters, reflecting the ongoing efforts to ensure fair wages in this critical profession.