How much does a Firefighter make in Idaho?

The average Firefighter salary in Idaho is around $80,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Idaho state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $61,723 annually ($5,144/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Firefighter in Idaho?

On a $80,000 salary in Idaho, your take-home pay is approximately $61,723/year or $5,144/month. Federal tax: $8,770. State tax: $3,387. FICA: $0.00.

Is $80,000 a good Firefighter salary?

$80,000 is a competitive salary for a Firefighter — above the national median. In Idaho, demand for this role is active.

How do Idaho taxes affect Firefighter salaries?

Idaho levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $80,000 is $3,387. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 22.8%.

What are the career growth prospects for Firefighters?

4% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average); EMT/paramedic dual-cert growing faster. Related roles include: Fire Captain, Fire Engineer, Paramedic Firefighter, Battalion Chief, Fire Marshal, HazMat Specialist.

How can a Firefighter in Idaho reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Public Safety

Firefighter Salary in Idaho (2026)

The average Firefighter in Idaho earns around $80,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $61,723/year ($5,144/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$61,723
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$5,144
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,374
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$30/hr
Federal Tax	$8,770
State Tax	$3,387
FICA Taxes	$6,120
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	22.85%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Working overtime? The 2025 OBBBA deduction may save you up to $12,500 on federal tax. Open the No Tax on Overtime calculator →

1099 contract work or side gigs? Self-employment tax adds 15.3% on top. Open the 1099 tax calculator →

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Firefighter Salary Ranges in Idaho

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$52,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$80,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$135,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all Firefighters earn the same — not even close

Idaho's firefighter market is anchored by Boise Fire Department BFD (~310 sworn + IAFF Local 149 + the largest ID career fire department + the substantial Boise Fire post-2020 Treasure Valley growth response), Meridian Fire Department (~165 sworn + IAFF Local 4627 + the substantial Meridian post-2020 growth), Nampa Fire Department + Coeur d'Alene Fire Department + Idaho Falls Fire Department + Pocatello Fire Department + Twin Falls Fire Department + Lewiston Fire Department, the substantial Idaho Department of Lands + US Forest Service ID + BLM ID + Idaho National Forests Service wildland firefighter response (the substantial post-2022 ID wildfire response + the substantial post-2024 ID wildfire season + the substantial Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness + Sawtooth + Selkirk + Bitterroot wilderness wildfire response), INL Idaho Falls Fire Department (the substantial INL cleared facility fire), Mountain Home AFB Fire Department federal civilian fire, Saylor Creek Range fire response, plus the substantial post-2020 ID Treasure Valley wildfire-urban interface response.

Senior Captain / District Chief (BFD / Meridian / CDA)

$72,000–$112,000+ OT

Senior officer at Boise Fire + Meridian + Coeur d·Alene + Idaho Falls · IAFF leadership · OBBBA OT applies

Senior Firefighter (Step 10+)

$48,000–$72,000+ OT

Senior FF at ID career fire departments · top-of-scale + OT premium

Senior Paramedic-Firefighter

$55,000–$82,000+ OT

Dual-cert FF/Paramedic · Boise Fire + Meridian + Idaho Falls · NREMT-Paramedic credential

Senior Wildland Firefighter / Hotshot

$52,000–$95,000+ OT + hazard

US Forest Service + BLM ID Smokejumper + hotshot + the substantial post-2022 Frank Church wildfire response

Senior INL Fire Department FF

$72,000–$112,000+ OT

INL Idaho Falls Fire · the substantial INL cleared nuclear facility fire + hazmat + DOE Q clearance

Senior ARFF (Boise / Idaho Falls)

$62,000–$92,000+ OT

Boise Airport BOI + Idaho Falls Regional IDA ARFF · IAFF represented · airport fire

Senior Federal Firefighter (Mountain Home AFB)

$62,000–$92,000+ OT

Mountain Home AFB federal civilian + cleared premium · the substantial 366th FW facility fire

Senior Fire Inspector / Prevention

$52,000–$78,000

Fire prevention bureau · plan review + inspection + arson investigation · NFPA inspector

New Career Firefighter (Step 1-4)

$38,000–$52,000+ OT

New career FF · PERSI Public Employees Retirement System membership at hire · Step 1-4 band

Fire Chief (Suburban / Rural)

$82,000–$132,000

ID suburban + rural fire chief · the substantial ID rural FD leadership

Worth knowing: Idaho's substantial Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness wildfire response + the substantial post-2022 + post-2024 ID wildfire seasons is one of the country's most distinctive concentrated US single-state wilderness wildfire operations and a feature most national firefighter career surveys understate for ID. ID substantial Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness (the country's substantial second-largest US contiguous wilderness ~2.4M acres in Central ID + the substantial Frank Church wilderness substantial post-2020 + post-2022 + post-2024 wildfire response + the substantial Frank Church-Bitterroot-Salmon-Challis National Forest substantial wildfire activity + the substantial post-2024 Wapiti Fire + post-2024 ID substantial wildfire season + the substantial Frank Church + Sawtooth + Selkirk + Bitterroot wilderness substantial wildfire response training + the substantial ID Smokejumper base McCall + the substantial ID Smokejumper post-2020 substantial wildfire surge + the substantial US Forest Service + BLM ID + Idaho Department of Lands substantial wildfire response coordination + the substantial post-2022 ID wildfire-urban interface response in the substantial Treasure Valley + Wood River Valley + Coeur d'Alene growth corridor) supports substantial ID wildland + wildland-urban interface firefighter operations. Senior ID wildland firefighters + US Forest Service hotshots + BLM ID Smokejumpers + Idaho Department of Lands wildland firefighters clear $52-95K + hazard pay. Boise Fire Department BFD (~310 sworn + IAFF Local 149 + the largest ID career fire department + the substantial Boise Fire post-2020 Treasure Valley growth response + the substantial Boise Fire technical rescue + hazmat + ARFF + the substantial post-2022 Boise Fire wildfire-urban interface training) supports substantial ID urban + post-wildfire firefighter operations. Senior ID Boise + Meridian + Coeur d'Alene + Idaho Falls firefighter officers clear $72-112K + OT. INL Idaho Falls Fire Department (the substantial INL cleared facility fire + the substantial INL nuclear research + the substantial INL ATR + plutonium pit production qualification facility fire + hazmat + the substantial INL DOE Q clearance premium) supports substantial ID cleared INL fire work. Senior INL FFs clear $72-112K + OT. Mountain Home AFB Fire Department substantial federal civilian firefighter work supporting 366th Fighter Wing facility fire + Saylor Creek Range. PERSI Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho (~$24B+ AUM + ID public employee defined-benefit pension + the substantial PERSI covering ID career firefighters at 2.3% × years × FAS multiplier supporting career firefighter retirement after 27 years + the substantial post-2020 PERSI funded-ratio above 90% + the substantial PERSI Public Safety Tier) provides ID firefighter pension. ID recognizes public-sector collective bargaining for firefighters via IAFF + the substantial ID post-1985 RTW preservation of firefighter collective bargaining despite RTW status. ID flat 5.695% post-2024 HB 521 reform + ID property tax ~0.69% + no state estate tax. The 2025 No Tax on Overtime federal deduction applies through 2028.