Fire Battalion Chief Salary in the United States

How much does a Fire Battalion Chief make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Fire Battalion Chief in the United States is $85,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, a Fire Battalion Chief's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $109,572
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,100 to $98,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,721

Key Factors That Influence Fire Battalion Chief Salaries

A Fire Battalion Chief's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Fire Battalion Chief Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Fire Battalion Chief's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $81,757
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $82,607
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $83,799
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $85,876
  • Expert (over 8 years): $89,637
Levels Salary
Entry Level Fire Battalion Chief$81,757
Intermediate Level Fire Battalion Chief$82,607
Senior Level Fire Battalion Chief$83,799
Specialist Level Fire Battalion Chief$85,876
Expert Level Fire Battalion Chief$89,637

Top Paying Cities for Fire Battalion Chieves

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $107,800
  • San Francisco: $106,600
  • Oakland: $104,400

What Skills Can Increase a Fire Battalion Chief's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 9.11% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Emergency Services (Mentioned in 3.31% Job Postings): Emergency Services are the public organizations that respond to and deal with emergencies when they occur, especially those that provide police, ambulance, and firefighting services.
  • Square (Mentioned in 1.36% Job Postings): Square in geometry, a plane figure with four equal sides and four right (90°) angles. A square is a special kind of rectangle and a special kind of parallelogram.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 9.11%
Emergency Services 3.31%
Square 1.36%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Fire Battalion Chief's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Strategic Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $93,195
9%
Strategic Planning $92,340
8%
Collaboration $90,630
6%

Fire Battalion Chief Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Fire Battalion Chief salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $88,271. While startup companies pay approximate $75,380.

Fire Battalion Chief Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $75,380
Growth Stage 51~500 $79,548
Established 501~5000 $85,434
Enterprise 5000+ $88,271

Fire Battalion Chief Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Fire Battalion Chief's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$74,100
Average $85,500/year
$98,100
$6,175
Average $7,125/month
$8,175
$1,425
Average $1,644/week
$1,887
$36
Average $41/hour
$47
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $98,100 $8,175 $1,887 $47
Average $85,500 $7,125 $1,644 $41
25th Percentile $74,100 $6,175 $1,425 $36

Fire Battalion Chief Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Fire Battalion Chief, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Police Team Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $107,300 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Fire Battalion Chief

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Fire Battalion Chief

Here are companies hiring for Fire Battalion Chief and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Fire Battalion Chief

1. What states are firemen paid best?

Firefighter salaries vary significantly by state. In states like New York, Washington, California, and New Jersey, firefighters can earn competitive salaries. For example, the salary range for a Fire Battalion Chief is between $85,500 and $107,100, with a mid-salary of $92,900, reflecting the higher compensation in these regions.

2. Is battalion chief a high rank?

Yes, the Battalion Chief is considered a high rank, often serving as the highest-ranking officer on duty. In terms of compensation, the salary ranges from a minimum of $85,500 to a maximum of $107,100, with a mid-range salary of $92,900, reflecting the significant responsibilities and leadership role associated with this position.

3. What is higher than a Fire Chief?

Battalion Chief (BC) – The Battalion Chief plays a crucial role in ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly. With a salary range from $85,500 to $107,100, the BC often serves as the highest-ranking officer on duty, especially when the Fire Chief and Assistant Chief are off, managing the department's activities effectively.

4. How much do FDNY firefighters get paid after 5 years?

After five years, a Fire Battalion Chief can expect a salary ranging from $85,500 to $107,100, depending on experience and additional responsibilities. The mid-salary is approximately $92,900. This figure may increase with overtime and other compensations, reflecting the demanding nature of the role.

5. How much does a Chicago fire battalion chief make?

As of January 01, 2025, a Fire Battalion Chief in Chicago, IL earns an average annual salary of $92,900. Salaries typically range from $85,500 to $107,100, with most professionals earning between these figures.

6. Do firefighters sleep at the station?

During the 12 to 24 hours on duty, firefighters run calls, train, shower, eat, and sleep at the station. Their responsibilities include honing skills for firefighting and medical emergencies, as well as maintaining the firehouse and equipment. Fire Battalion Chiefs earn between $85,500 and $107,100, reflecting their critical role in emergency response and team leadership.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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