Salario de Bombero en Colorado (2026)
El salario promedio de un Bombero en Colorado es de $78,000/año. Después de impuestos, tu sueldo neto estimado es de $60,979/año ($5,082/mes).
Desglose del Sueldo Neto
| Categoría | Cantidad |
|---|---|
Sueldo Neto Anual | $60,979 |
Sueldo Neto Mensual | $5,082 |
Sueldo Neto Quincenal | $2,345 |
Sueldo Neto por Hora basado en 2,080 hrs/año | $29/hr |
Impuesto Federal | $8,330 |
Impuesto Estatal | $2,724 |
Impuestos FICA | $5,967 |
Tasa Efectiva de Impuesto impuestos totales ÷ salario bruto | 21.82% |
¿Quieres modelar 401(k), HSA, o aportes antes de impuestos contra tu salario completo? Abrir la calculadora de salario →
¿Trabajas horas extra? La deducción OBBBA 2025 puede ahorrarte hasta $12,500 en impuesto federal. Abrir la calculadora de horas extra →
¿Trabajo 1099 o proyectos paralelos? El impuesto SE agrega 15.3% encima. Ver la calculadora de freelancer →
Rangos de Salario de Bombero en Colorado
No todas las Bomberos ganan lo mismo — ni de cerca
Colorado firefighter specialties: (1) Denver Fire Dept (DFD) — 1,000+ sworn FFs serving 715K+ residents across 153 sq miles, urban + airport (DEN International) response; (2) South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) — Greenwood Village / Centennial / Lone Tree / Highlands Ranch / Parker — Cherry Creek / Greenwood Village wealthy demographic; (3) West Metro Fire Protection District + Cunningham Fire Protection District + Boulder Fire-Rescue; (4) Mountain town fire districts — Aspen Fire Protection District, Vail Fire & Emergency Services, Telluride Fire Protection District, Steamboat Springs Fire Protection District (mountain town wildland-urban interface specialty + ski-resort + tourism response); (5) Colorado Springs Fire Dept + USAFA (US Air Force Academy) civilian fire; (6) Colorado State Forest Service + multi-agency wildland response (Marshall Fire 2021, Cameron Peak Fire 2020 — generational events). Pension structure: most CO municipal FFs participate in FPPA (Fire and Police Pension Association) Statewide Defined Benefit Plan — 25-year retirement at 50% of FAS; 30-year retirement at 75% of FAS; combined with Statewide Money Purchase Plan + . FPPA is well-funded among US public pension systems.
DFD/SMFR/Boulder Captain (with OT)
$110,000–$155,000
Base + OT + EMT/paramedic premium
Aspen / Vail Mountain Town FF
$95,000–$140,000
Mountain town COL premium · year-round response
Wildland-Urban Interface Specialty
$80,000–$130,000
Marshall Fire / Cameron Peak / Front Range WUI growth
DEN International ARFF Specialty
$95,000–$140,000
Airport-specific response · ARFF cert
USAFA Civilian Fire (Colorado Springs)
$75,000–$120,000
DoD-employed civilian FFs at US Air Force Academy
Engineer / Paramedic-Firefighter
$85,000–$120,000
Dual cert FF + EMT-P premium
Established FF (5-10 years)
$72,000–$105,000
Base + standard OT · CO median ~$78K
Probationary FF (year 1-2)
$50,000–$68,000
Academy + station rotation
Battalion Chief / Deputy Chief
$140,000–$215,000
Top CO municipal FF tier
Vale la pena saber: CO firefighters operate on 24/48 shift schedules at most municipal departments. The 96-hour off-period side-job tradition is strong — outdoor industry adjacent (ski instruction, mountain guiding, construction, real estate). Mountain town FFs have unique lifestyle integration (Aspen / Vail FFs ski 100+ days/year). FPPA Statewide Defined Benefit Plan is well-funded — formula 2.5% per year × FAS at 25-year retirement = 62.5% FAS; legacy higher-tier hires up to 75% at 30 years. Combined with Statewide Money Purchase Plan (defined-contribution component) + , CO FF retirement structure is among most favorable in US. Wildland-Urban Interface fire growth post-2020 (Marshall Fire 2021 in suburban Boulder + Cameron Peak Fire 2020) reshaped CO firefighting demographics — increased wildland deployment + cross-jurisdictional coordination.
Colorado firefighter market — DFD/SMFR/mountain town, FPPA pension, wildland growth, lowest property tax
$12.5K
OBBBA 2025 no-tax-on-overtime federal deduction cap (single, $25K MFJ)
0.51%
CO effective property tax — lowest in nation behind only Hawaii
FPPA
Fire and Police Pension Assoc — 30-year retirement at 75% FAS · well-funded
Denver Fire Department (DFD) is the largest CO municipal fire department with 1,000+ sworn FFs serving 715K+ residents. Base captain salary $105K-$135K; with overtime + paramedic premium + acting-supervisor pay, captain total compensation routinely $130K-$175K. DFD ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting) at DEN International airport.
The 2025 law (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) created a brand-new federal deduction on the premium portion of overtime pay. For tax years 2025 through 2028, you can deduct up to $12,500/year (single) or $25,000 () of qualifying OT premium from your federal taxable income. What 'premium portion' means: if your hourly is $44, OT pays $66 ($44 × 1.5). Only the extra $22/hour counts toward the deduction — the half, not the whole.
Real numbers for a CO firefighter: a DFD engineer at $42/hour base, working 75 OT hours a month for 12 months. Premium portion = $42 × 0.5 × 75 × 12 = $18,900. Capped at $12,500 single / $25,000 . Single filer at the 24% federal bracket → about $3,000 back. MFJ at 22% → up to $5,500 back. CO does NOT conform to at the state level (the 4.4% flat-tax bite stays put on the full premium). Two catches: only (IRS guidance for FLSA 207(k) departments expected mid-2026), and MAGI phaseout above $150K single / $300K MFJ. Most DFD captains and senior SMFR officers stay under both.
South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) serves Greenwood Village / Centennial / Lone Tree / Highlands Ranch / Parker — wealthy Cherry Creek / Greenwood Village demographic + post-2020 migration buyer pool. SMFR captain $100K-$140K + OT $135K-$170K total. Cunningham Fire Protection District + West Metro Fire Protection District + Boulder Fire-Rescue round out major Front Range employers.
Mountain town fire districts are lifestyle-driven — Aspen Fire Protection District, Vail Fire & Emergency Services, Telluride Fire Protection District, Steamboat Springs Fire Protection District. Mountain town FFs serve concentrated wealth (Aspen residents own $200K-$1M+ exotic vehicles + $5M-$30M+ ski-in/ski-out estates). Mountain town FF lifestyle: ski 100+ days/year alongside firefighting career. Captain $90K-$140K (with mountain town COL premium).
Wildland-Urban Interface fire growth post-2020 reshaped CO firefighting. Marshall Fire 2021 (December 30, 2021 — destroyed 1,084 homes in Louisville, Superior, suburban Boulder area, generational event in suburban-wildland fire risk). Cameron Peak Fire 2020 (largest CO wildfire in history). Front Range WUI growth means more FF training in wildland coordination, evacuation response, structure protection.
USAFA (US Air Force Academy) civilian fire dept in Colorado Springs employs DoD-employed civilian FFs. Federal GS classification pay $75K-$120K. CSRS/FERS pension equivalent.
Pension structure: FPPA Statewide Defined Benefit Plan — 25-year retirement at 2.5% × FAS = 62.5% FAS; 30-year retirement at 3% × FAS = 75% FAS. Combined with Statewide Money Purchase Plan (defined-contribution component, 8% employee + 8% employer) + . FPPA is well-funded — among most-funded US public pension systems. With $115K FAS + 30-year service, FPPA pension projects $86K/year for life + Money Purchase accumulation $400K-$700K + 457(b) accumulation = significant retirement portfolio.
CO 4.4% flat state income tax + lowest-in-nation property tax (~0.51% effective) + TABOR refunds ($400-$800 typical filer in surplus years) creates favorable mechanic-equivalent FF economics. A $115K DFD captain owns $400K Aurora-Centennial home paying ~$2K/year property tax — vs $8K-$10K equivalent in TX or $8.4K in Cook County IL.
Colorado for firefighters — DFD/SMFR/mountain town, FPPA pension, wildland growth, low-tax structure
CO firefighters cluster in Denver metro (DFD + SMFR + West Metro + Cunningham + Aurora), Boulder (Boulder Fire-Rescue), Colorado Springs (CSFD + USAFA civilian), and Mountain Town fire districts (Aspen / Vail / Telluride / Steamboat / Crested Butte). Northern CO (Fort Collins / Greeley / Loveland) and Eastern Plains round out regional employment.
Denver mechanic lifestyle profile: workforce housing in Aurora / Commerce City / Westminster / Thornton / Lakewood ($350K-$500K modest homes feasible). Senior DFD/SMFR captains may buy in Denver near-suburbs ($500K-$700K). Mountain town FFs commute down-valley (Aspen FFs in Carbondale / Glenwood Springs at $500K-$900K; Vail FFs in Eagle / Avon at $500K-$900K).
Most CO FFs are with employer-sponsored FPPA Statewide Defined Benefit Plan + Statewide Money Purchase Plan + deferred comp + health insurance. The 24/48 shift + 96-hour off-period + outdoor lifestyle integration is genuinely unique to CO mountain town FFs.
Tax structure favorable for CO FFs. CO 4.4% flat moderate during working years. CO retirement income tax structure: pension is taxable; CO offers $24K subtraction at 65+ for retirement income (modest). Combined with lowest-in-nation property tax + TABOR refunds, CO FF homeowner + retirement economics are favorable.
How Colorado taxes work for firefighters (and how to keep more)
CO flat 4.4% state income tax. A $80K CO FF base wage: federal $7K + $6K + CO state $3.5K = ~$16.5K total. Take-home ~$63.5K. At $130K DFD/SMFR captain with OT: federal $20K + FICA $9K + CO state $5.7K = ~$34.7K total. Take-home ~$95.3K.
CO property tax 0.51% effective — lowest in nation behind only Hawaii. On a $400K Aurora FF home: ~$2,040/year property tax — dramatically lower than peer states.
TABOR refund — $400-$800 typical filer in surplus years (larger in 2023 ~$800/$1,600). File on time even with $0 balance due.
FPPA Statewide Defined Benefit Plan — 25-year retirement at 62.5% FAS; 30-year retirement at 75% FAS. Statewide Money Purchase Plan defined-contribution component (8% employee + 8% employer) accumulates separately. CO retirement income $24K subtraction at 65+ for filers — modest but real.
Deferred Compensation Plan offered at most CO municipal departments. $24,500 limit. Pre-tax federal AND CO — at $130K captain marginal rate, every $1,000 deferred saves ~$240 federal + $44 CO = $284/year. Maxing limit saves $6,700/year.
special catch-up: 3 years before retirement, contribute up to $47K. $141K window in final 3 years.
CollegeInvest 529 — UNLIMITED CO deduction (best in nation). Saves 4.4% on every dollar contributed. Worth maxing if you have kids.
Side-income Solo — CO FFs running side businesses (outdoor industry / ski instruction / mountain guiding / contracting) shelter $35K-$72K/year on top of .
- →TABOR refund — file CO return on time every year. Refund flows through return; late filers lose it.
- →Max your Deferred Comp Plan — at $130K DFD/SMFR captain marginal rate, every $1,000 deferred saves $284+ in current taxes.
- →Use special catch-up in final 3 years before retirement — shelter $47K/year × 3 = $141K window.
- →FPPA Statewide Money Purchase Plan — defined-contribution component grows at portfolio rate. Verify your investment elections + asset allocation.
- →CollegeInvest 529 — UNLIMITED CO deduction (best in nation). Saves 4.4% on every dollar contributed.
- →Property tax appeal less needed (lowest-in-nation rate) but mountain town volatility post-2020 creates value for appeals.
- →Senior Property Tax Exemption for filers 65+ with 10-year residency — exempts 50% of first $200K of value. Worth filing at retirement.
- →Mountain town FF specialty premium — Aspen / Vail / Telluride / Steamboat command meaningful COL premium + wildland-urban interface specialty.
- →Side-income Solo — CO FFs running side businesses (ski instruction, outdoor guiding, contracting) shelter $35K-$72K/year on top of .
Three CO submarkets for firefighters — what each one looks like
Denver Fire Dept urban + airport, SMFR wealthy Front Range, and Mountain Town fire districts are three different CO FF careers.
Denver Fire Department (DFD) — Largest CO Municipal
Base $80K-$135K + OT · captain total $130K-$175K1,000+ sworn FFs. Urban + DEN International ARFF. FPPA pension. Workforce housing in Aurora / Commerce City / Westminster / Thornton / Lakewood. Marshall Fire 2021 + Cameron Peak Fire 2020 increased wildland deployment.
Denver post-2020 migration drove tax-base growth funding municipal hiring. DFD comp competitive with peer Mountain West states.
South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) — Wealthy Front Range
Base $75K-$130K + OT · captain total $125K-$165KGreenwood Village / Centennial / Lone Tree / Highlands Ranch / Parker. Wealthy Cherry Creek / Greenwood Village demographic + post-2020 migration buyer pool. FPPA pension. Workforce housing in Aurora / Centennial / Parker.
SMFR serves concentrated CO wealth — high-stakes property protection. Lifestyle quality higher than DFD for many.
Mountain Town Fire Districts (Aspen / Vail / Telluride)
Base $75K-$130K + mountain COL premium · captain $115K-$155KAspen Fire Protection District, Vail Fire & Emergency Services, Telluride Fire Protection District, Steamboat Springs Fire Protection District. Mountain town wildland-urban interface specialty + ski-resort + tourism response. Wealthy clientele ($5M-$30M+ ski-in/ski-out estates). Workforce housing prohibitive — most commute down-valley (Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Avon).
Mountain town FF lifestyle integration unique — ski 100+ days/year + firefighting career. Wildland-Urban Interface specialty growing post-Marshall Fire 2021.
The career arc — from probationary FF to Battalion Chief, FPPA retirement
Year 1-2 (probationary): $50K-$68K. CO FF Education Programs (Aims Community College, Pueblo Community College, Front Range CC). EMT-Basic at hire. FPPA contributions begin immediately.
Year 3-7 (FF / FF-Paramedic): $72K-$105K base + OT. Engineer + Paramedic dual-cert add wage premium. Wildland-Urban Interface deployment opens cross-jurisdictional coordination.
Year 8-15 (Captain): $100K-$140K base + OT total $130K-$170K. Captain promotion exam.
Year 15-25 (Battalion Chief / Deputy Chief): $145K-$215K base + OT $180K-$245K. Top CO municipal FF tier. FPPA projection at 30-year retirement: 75% × FAS = ~$86K/year for life. Combined with Money Purchase Plan + + side-business equity.
Year 25-30 (continuing service): FPPA pension caps at 75% × FAS at 30 years. Money Purchase Plan continues accumulating.
Retirement (age 50-60 with 25-30 year service): Lifetime FPPA pension (CO 4.4% taxable but $24K retirement income subtraction at 65+) + Money Purchase Plan IRA-rollover + IRA-rollover + side-business equity. Most CO FFs retire in-state — TABOR refunds + lowest-in-nation property tax + mountain access keep them in CO. Some senior CO FFs relocate to TX/NV/FL for full no-state-tax retirement, but the CO retirement structure is genuinely competitive.
Where Colorado firefighters actually live
DFD FFs in Aurora / Commerce City / Westminster / Thornton / Lakewood ($350K-$500K modest homes). Senior DFD/SMFR captains in Aurora / Centennial / Parker ($500K-$700K). Mountain town FFs commute down-valley (Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Avon at $500K-$900K). Boulder Fire FFs in Longmont / Lafayette ($500K-$750K).
Aurora / Commerce City (East Denver)
DFD workforce housing · $350K-$450K · I-70 commercial corridor
Westminster / Thornton (North Denver)
North Denver suburbs · $400K-$550K
Centennial / Parker (SMFR)
SMFR workforce + family · $500K-$700K
Carbondale / Glenwood Springs (Down-Valley Aspen)
Aspen Fire commute · $500K-$900K
Eagle / Avon (Down-Valley Vail)
Vail Fire commute · $500K-$900K
Longmont / Lafayette (Boulder)
Boulder Fire commute · $500K-$750K
CO 4.4% flat state tax + 0.51% lowest-in-nation property tax + TABOR refunds + FPPA pension + outdoor lifestyle = favorable CO FF wealth-building. Most senior CO FFs retire in-state; some relocate to TX/NV/FL for full no-tax retirement.
¿Es la decisión correcta?
Colorado for firefighters — DFD/SMFR/mountain, FPPA pension, lowest property tax + TABOR
A tu favor
- +CO 0.51% lowest-in-nation property tax — valuable for homeowner FFs
- +FPPA Statewide Defined Benefit Plan — 30-year retirement at 75% FAS · well-funded
- +TABOR refunds $400-$1,600 in surplus years
- +Mountain town FF lifestyle integration unique (ski 100+ days/year)
- +CO flat 4.4% state tax — moderate, lower than CA/NY/MA
- +CollegeInvest 529 unlimited deduction (best in nation)
- +Wildland-Urban Interface specialty growing post-Marshall Fire 2021
- +USAFA civilian FF + Statewide Money Purchase Plan (DC component) + 457(b) + side-business shelter
Vale la pena saber antes de firmar
- −Mountain town housing prohibitive — most commute down-valley
- −Wildland-Urban Interface fire growth materially increased risk profile
- −Marshall Fire 2021 + Cameron Peak 2020 generational events — line-of-duty stress elevated
- −Climate / altitude affects daily lifestyle (high altitude living preference matters)
- −Probationary year 1-2 grind real — academy + station rotation demanding
- −CO retirement income $24K subtraction at 65+ less generous than IL exemption
- −Some senior CO FFs relocate to TX/NV/FL for full no-tax retirement
Mercado Laboral en Colorado
Growing tech, aerospace, and outdoor recreation industries.
Perspectivas de crecimiento: 4% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average); EMT/paramedic dual-cert growing faster
Puestos relacionados:
Costo de Vida en Colorado
Denver has risen sharply in cost. Median 1BR rent: $1,600–$2,400 in Denver metro.
💰 Sueldo neto mensual: $5,082
🏠 Renta típica: $2,000/mo
📊 Después de renta: $3,082/mo
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