Firefighter Salary 2026 — Take-Home Pay by State
Firefighters respond to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, and rescue operations. Career structure includes 24/48 shift schedules, defined-benefit pensions (typically 20-25 year retirement), significant overtime, and unique tax treatment for retirement income. Top departments: LAFD, FDNY, CFD, MDFR, HFD, SFD.
National Median
$78,000
Best State (Net)
$70,496
Washington
Take-Home TX
$63,461
No state tax
Job Growth
4%
Key Facts — Firefighter 2026
BLS median: $51,680 for firefighters (BLS May 2023 OES) — but LAFD/FDNY captain $200K-$350K with OT
24/48 shift schedule + 96-hour off-period enables substantial side-business income
Defined-benefit pensions (CalPERS Safety, NYCERS Tier 6, FPPA, FRS Special Risk, 1977 Fund, LEOFF Plan 2, HFRRF) — 20-30 year retirement
457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan + special catch-up rule — $141K shelter in final 3 years
Section 121 home sale exclusion + out-of-state retirement strategy (CA/NY → TX/FL/NV/AZ)
NJ commuter strategy saves $5K-$10K/year for FDNY (skips NYC city tax)
WA/TX/FL/NV/TN 0% state income tax + 0% retirement income tax = uniquely favorable structure
Workers' comp + line-of-duty + presumptive coverage (heart/lung/cancer) typically tax-free
Salary by Experience Level
Probationary FF (year 1-2)
$60,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$50,258
Academy + station rotation + EMT-Basic at hire
Established FF (5-10 years)
$95,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$75,421
Base + standard OT + Engineer/Paramedic dual-cert
Captain (8-15 years)
$145,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$110,110
Promotion exam + leadership + structural OT
Battalion Chief / Deputy Chief
$220,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$163,315
Top municipal FF tier
Specialties & Salary Premiums
| Specialty | Est. Salary | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| LAFD/FDNY/CFD Captain (top urban with OT) | $195,000 | +150% |
| CalFire Wildfire Response (peak season OT) | $117,000 | +50% |
| Airport ARFF Specialty (LAX/JFK/MIA/ORD) | $101,400 | +30% |
| Hurricane / Wildland-Urban Interface Response | $97,500 | +25% |
| Engineer / Paramedic-Firefighter | $89,700 | +15% |
| Probationary FF (year 1-2) | $46,800 | -40% |
Best States for Firefighters — Real Take-Home Pay
Ranked by estimated take-home pay (single filer, no additional deductions). The highest gross salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
▲Top 5 — Highest Take-Home
Firefighter Salary by State — All 50 States
Take-home estimates for a single filer with no additional deductions. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Gross Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $88,000 | $70,496 | |
| $95,000 | $69,941 | |
| $92,000 | $66,149 | |
| $78,000 | $63,461 | |
| $82,000 | $62,959 | |
| $80,000 | $61,618 | |
| $75,000 | $61,351 | |
| $80,000 | $60,728 | |
| $78,000 | $60,689 | |
| $78,000 | $60,311 | |
| $72,000 | $59,240 | |
| $70,000 | $57,833 | |
| $72,000 | $56,960 | |
14Maryland | $72,000 | $56,533 |
| $68,000 | $56,426 | |
| $70,000 | $56,145 | |
17Oregon | $75,000 | $55,411 |
18Virginia | $68,000 | $53,379 |
19Arizona | $65,000 | $53,026 |
20Ohio | $65,000 | $52,526 |
| $70,000 | $52,416 | |
22Michigan | $65,000 | $52,151 |
23Utah | $65,000 | $52,001 |
24Hawaii | $68,000 | $51,656 |
| $65,000 | $51,626 | |
| $60,000 | $50,258 | |
27Delaware | $62,000 | $49,280 |
| $60,000 | $49,133 | |
29Indiana | $60,000 | $48,841 |
30Missouri | $60,000 | $48,031 |
31Iowa | $60,000 | $47,693 |
32Nebraska | $60,000 | $47,630 |
33Maine | $60,000 | $47,041 |
34Vermont | $60,000 | $46,838 |
35Georgia | $58,000 | $46,290 |
36Idaho | $58,000 | $46,157 |
37Montana | $58,000 | $46,114 |
| $55,000 | $44,601 | |
39Kentucky | $55,000 | $44,441 |
| $55,000 | $44,341 | |
41Kansas | $55,000 | $44,241 |
| $52,000 | $43,830 | |
| $52,000 | $43,830 | |
| $55,000 | $43,681 | |
| $52,000 | $42,258 | |
46Alabama | $50,000 | $40,823 |
47Arkansas | $50,000 | $40,683 |
48Oklahoma | $50,000 | $40,561 |
| $45,000 | $37,006 | |
| $45,000 | $36,856 |
Job Market Outlook
4% growth projected 2022-2032 — about average. Top urban departments (LAFD, FDNY, CFD) + airport ARFF + hurricane response + wildland-urban interface specialty earn 50-150% above median. 24/48 shift + defined-benefit pension structure + 457(b) deferred comp + side-business culture create unique wealth-building career.
Maximize Your Take-Home
401(k) — $24,500 max
Reduces taxable income dollar-for-dollar
HSA — $4,400 single
Triple tax advantage — deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals
FSA — $3,300 max
Medical expenses with pre-tax dollars
State consideration
Moving to TX, FL, WA can save $5,000–$15,000/year in taxes
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home as a Firefighter
Add 401(k), HSA, dependents, and more to see your personalized take-home in your state.
Open Calculator →Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about your taxes and our calculator.
Firefighter Salary by State — Detailed Pages
Alabama
$40,823
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$63,461
net
Arizona
$53,026
net
Arkansas
$40,683
net
California
$66,149
net
Colorado
$60,689
net
Connecticut
$60,311
net
Delaware
$49,280
net
FloridaNo state tax
$56,426
net
Georgia
$46,290
net
Hawaii
$51,656
net
Idaho
$46,157
net
Illinois
$62,959
net
Indiana
$48,841
net
Iowa
$47,693
net
Kansas
$44,241
net
Kentucky
$44,441
net
Louisiana
$42,258
net
Maine
$47,041
net
Maryland
$56,533
net
Massachusetts
$61,618
net
Michigan
$52,151
net
Minnesota
$52,416
net
Mississippi
$37,006
net
Missouri
$48,031
net
Montana
$46,114
net
Nebraska
$47,630
net
NevadaNo state tax
$61,351
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$57,833
net
New Jersey
$60,728
net
New Mexico
$44,601
net
New York
$69,941
net
North Carolina
$44,341
net
North Dakota
$49,133
net
Ohio
$52,526
net
Oklahoma
$40,561
net
Oregon
$55,411
net
Pennsylvania
$56,145
net
Rhode Island
$56,960
net
South Carolina
$43,681
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$43,830
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$43,830
net
TexasNo state tax
$59,240
net
Utah
$52,001
net
Vermont
$46,838
net
Virginia
$53,379
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$70,496
net
West Virginia
$36,856
net
Wisconsin
$51,626
net
WyomingNo state tax
$50,258
net