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)
$70,738
Washington
Take-Home TX
$63,703
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):
$50,390
Academy + station rotation + EMT-Basic at hire
Established FF (5-10 years)
$95,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$75,663
Base + standard OT + Engineer/Paramedic dual-cert
Captain (8-15 years)
$145,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$110,374
Promotion exam + leadership + structural OT
Battalion Chief / Deputy Chief
$220,000
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$163,487
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 | $70,738 | |
| $95,000 | $70,656 | |
| $92,000 | $68,045 | |
| $78,000 | $63,703 | |
| $82,000 | $62,603 | |
| $80,000 | $61,868 | |
| $75,000 | $61,593 | |
| $80,000 | $61,330 | |
| $78,000 | $60,979 | |
| $78,000 | $60,038 | |
| $72,000 | $59,482 | |
| $70,000 | $58,075 | |
| $68,000 | $56,668 | |
| $72,000 | $56,607 | |
15Oregon | $75,000 | $56,274 |
| $70,000 | $55,926 | |
17Maryland | $72,000 | $54,953 |
| $70,000 | $54,838 | |
19Virginia | $68,000 | $53,519 |
20Arizona | $65,000 | $53,185 |
21Ohio | $65,000 | $53,062 |
22Hawaii | $68,000 | $52,603 |
| $65,000 | $52,020 | |
24Michigan | $65,000 | $51,896 |
25Utah | $65,000 | $51,873 |
| $60,000 | $50,390 | |
| $60,000 | $50,390 | |
28Delaware | $62,000 | $49,233 |
29Iowa | $60,000 | $48,722 |
30Indiana | $60,000 | $48,650 |
31Missouri | $60,000 | $48,543 |
32Vermont | $60,000 | $48,540 |
33Nebraska | $60,000 | $48,364 |
34Maine | $60,000 | $47,633 |
35Idaho | $58,000 | $46,817 |
36Montana | $58,000 | $46,814 |
37Georgia | $58,000 | $46,637 |
| $55,000 | $45,041 | |
| $55,000 | $44,953 | |
| $55,000 | $44,687 | |
41Kentucky | $55,000 | $44,565 |
42Kansas | $55,000 | $44,103 |
| $52,000 | $43,962 | |
| $52,000 | $43,962 | |
| $52,000 | $42,777 | |
46Arkansas | $50,000 | $40,964 |
47Oklahoma | $50,000 | $40,651 |
48Alabama | $50,000 | $40,286 |
| $45,000 | $37,104 | |
| $45,000 | $36,630 |
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
$40,286
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$63,703
net
Arizona
$53,185
net
Arkansas
$40,964
net
California
$68,045
net
Colorado
$60,979
net
Connecticut
$60,038
net
Delaware
$49,233
net
FloridaNo state tax
$56,668
net
Georgia
$46,637
net
Hawaii
$52,603
net
Idaho
$46,817
net
Illinois
$62,603
net
Indiana
$48,650
net
Iowa
$48,722
net
Kansas
$44,103
net
Kentucky
$44,565
net
Louisiana
$42,777
net
Maine
$47,633
net
Maryland
$54,953
net
Massachusetts
$61,330
net
Michigan
$51,896
net
Minnesota
$54,838
net
Mississippi
$36,630
net
Missouri
$48,543
net
Montana
$46,814
net
Nebraska
$48,364
net
NevadaNo state tax
$61,593
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$58,075
net
New Jersey
$61,868
net
New Mexico
$44,953
net
New York
$70,656
net
North Carolina
$44,687
net
North Dakota
$50,390
net
Ohio
$53,062
net
Oklahoma
$40,651
net
Oregon
$56,274
net
Pennsylvania
$55,926
net
Rhode Island
$56,607
net
South Carolina
$45,041
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$43,962
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$43,962
net
TexasNo state tax
$59,482
net
Utah
$51,873
net
Vermont
$48,540
net
Virginia
$53,519
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$70,738
net
West Virginia
$37,104
net
Wisconsin
$52,020
net
WyomingNo state tax
$50,390
net