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.
US Average
$63,630
BLS, May 2025
Best State (Net)
$71,582
Washington
Take-Home TX
$50,703
on $60,390 · No state tax
Job Growth
4%
Source: BLS, May 2025 · Firefighters (SOC 33-2011)
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 — $147K 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
US Pay Range
Pay percentiles for Firefighters across the US (BLS, May 2025), with the estimated take-home in Texas.
Bottom 10%
$34,910
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$30,230
25th percentile
$44,490
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$37,928
Median
$59,280
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$49,811
75th percentile
$77,250
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$63,175
Top 10%
$101,040
gross/year
Est. take-home (TX):
$79,912
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
BLS average pay in each state (BLS, May 2025) and the estimated take-home for a single filer with no additional deductions. BLS publishes no figure for 1 state: they show the US average, marked "US figure", at the end of the table. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| State | Average Pay (BLS) | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $89,200 | $71,582 | |
| $95,090 | $69,891 | |
| $87,150 | $65,623 | |
| $85,810 | $65,561 | |
| $78,380 | $61,230 | |
| $76,530 | $59,025 | |
| $70,510 | $58,434 | |
| $73,760 | $57,313 | |
| $73,220 | $56,899 | |
| $71,340 | $56,828 | |
11Maryland | $72,550 | $55,301 |
12Oregon | $71,290 | $54,177 |
| $67,480 | $53,646 | |
| $61,370 | $51,491 | |
| $60,390 | $50,703 | |
16Indiana | $62,420 | $50,523 |
17Arizona | $60,850 | $49,954 |
| $59,190 | $49,739 | |
| $57,980 | $48,767 | |
20Nebraska | $59,190 | $47,926 |
| $56,800 | $47,819 | |
22Ohio | $58,130 | $47,731 |
| $55,730 | $46,959 | |
24Iowa | $57,240 | $46,649 |
25Montana | $57,660 | $46,556 |
26Virginia | $58,240 | $46,441 |
27Michigan | $56,250 | $45,237 |
28Missouri | $55,240 | $44,938 |
29Idaho | $54,470 | $44,168 |
| $51,590 | $43,633 | |
| $51,180 | $43,303 | |
32Delaware | $53,420 | $42,815 |
33Oklahoma | $52,280 | $42,380 |
34Utah | $51,270 | $41,630 |
| $50,710 | $41,314 | |
36Maine | $50,230 | $40,827 |
37Vermont | $49,570 | $40,793 |
38Alabama | $49,720 | $40,073 |
39Kansas | $49,110 | $39,699 |
40Georgia | $47,170 | $38,476 |
| $45,170 | $36,876 | |
| $43,900 | $36,857 | |
| $43,180 | $35,986 | |
44Arkansas | $43,380 | $35,918 |
| $43,060 | $35,569 | |
46Kentucky | $42,100 | $34,651 |
| $40,100 | $33,354 | |
| $37,230 | $31,337 | |
| $36,610 | $30,873 | |
50Hawaii | $63,630US figure | $49,956 |
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
$40,073
net
AlaskaNo state tax
$49,739
net
Arizona
$49,954
net
Arkansas
$35,918
net
California
$69,891
net
Colorado
$61,230
net
Connecticut
$57,313
net
Delaware
$42,815
net
FloridaNo state tax
$51,491
net
Georgia
$38,476
net
Hawaii
$49,956
net
Idaho
$44,168
net
Illinois
$59,025
net
Indiana
$50,523
net
Iowa
$46,649
net
Kansas
$39,699
net
Kentucky
$34,651
net
Louisiana
$30,873
net
Maine
$40,827
net
Maryland
$55,301
net
Massachusetts
$56,899
net
Michigan
$45,237
net
Minnesota
$36,876
net
Mississippi
$31,337
net
Missouri
$44,938
net
Montana
$46,556
net
Nebraska
$47,926
net
NevadaNo state tax
$58,434
net
New HampshireNo state tax
$46,959
net
New Jersey
$65,561
net
New Mexico
$35,986
net
New York
$65,623
net
North Carolina
$35,569
net
North Dakota
$48,767
net
Ohio
$47,731
net
Oklahoma
$42,380
net
Oregon
$54,177
net
Pennsylvania
$56,828
net
Rhode Island
$53,646
net
South Carolina
$36,857
net
South DakotaNo state tax
$43,303
net
TennesseeNo state tax
$43,633
net
TexasNo state tax
$50,703
net
Utah
$41,630
net
Vermont
$40,793
net
Virginia
$46,441
net
WashingtonNo state tax
$71,582
net
West Virginia
$33,354
net
Wisconsin
$41,314
net
WyomingNo state tax
$47,819
net