Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Firefighter/EMT II Salary in the United States

How much does a Firefighter/EMT II make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Firefighter/EMT II in the United States is $62,770 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, a Firefighter/EMT II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,436
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,580 to $69,400
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,944
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Firefighter/EMT II Salaries

A Firefighter/EMT II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Firefighter/EMT II Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Firefighter/EMT IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $69,500.
  • California: $69,230.
  • Massachusetts: $68,310.

Top Paying Cities for Firefighter/EMT IIs

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: $79,170
  • San Francisco: $78,300
  • Oakland: $76,650

What Skills Can Increase a Firefighter/EMT II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Agility (Mentioned in 5.01% Job Postings): The ability to think quickly and clearly.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 5.28% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • Hydraulics (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
Skills Demand Percentage
Agility 5.01%
CPR 5.28%
Hydraulics 1.79%
See More Skills

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 Firefighter/EMT II's salary.

  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Risk Management $65,909
5%
Innovation $65,281
4%
Analysis $64,653
3%
Get Latest Data

Firefighter/EMT II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Firefighter/EMT II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,099. While startup companies pay approximate $58,681.

Firefighter/EMT II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,681
Growth Stage 51~500 $62,004
Established 501~5000 $66,769
Enterprise 5000+ $69,099

Firefighter/EMT II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Firefighter/EMT II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Firefighter/EMT positions in Software & Networking or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Firefighter/EMT II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Firefighter/EMT II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$87,878$42.040%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$69,047$33.010%

Firefighter/EMT II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Firefighter/EMT II'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 October 01, 2026
$56,580
Average $62,770/year
$69,400
$4,715
Average $5,231/month
$5,783
$1,088
Average $1,207/week
$1,335
$27
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $69,400 $5,783 $1,335 $33
Average $62,770 $5,231 $1,207 $30
25th Percentile $56,580 $4,715 $1,088 $27

Firefighter/EMT II Salary Growth & Career Path

Firefighter/EMT II

Next Role

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Firefighter/EMT II, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Fire Battalion Chief $85,500 36%
Emergency Response Team Supervisor $65,500 4%
Police or Sheriff's Patrol Sergeant $83,600 33%

Most common benefits for Firefighter/EMT II

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

Common company salaries for Firefighter/EMT II

Here are companies hiring for Firefighter/EMT II and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Firefighter/EMT II Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Firefighter/EMT II job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Firefighter/EMT II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Firefighter/EMT II?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Firefighter/EMT II roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. What is the highest paid EMT?

The highest paid EMT, specifically a Firefighter/EMT, can earn a maximum salary of $85,210. The average salary for this role is around $68,060, while the minimum salary starts at $63,140. These figures reflect the compensation range for Firefighter/EMTs in the field.

3. Do EMT Firefighters make good money?

EMT Firefighters can earn a competitive salary. The minimum salary is $63,140, while the mid-range salary is $68,060, and the maximum can reach $85,210 annually. This indicates that EMT Firefighters have the potential to make good money, especially as they gain experience and advance in their careers.

4. Do firefighters double as EMTs?

Yes, firefighters can double as EMTs. Firefighter-EMTs are trained to handle both fire response and emergency medical services, making them dual-role providers. In contrast, Firefighter-Medics focus solely on medical emergencies. The salary for a Firefighter/EMT ranges from $63,140 to $85,210, with a mid-salary of $68,060.

5. Can you go from EMT to firefighter?

Yes, you can transition from EMT to firefighter. Many fire departments, especially in California, require EMT certification as a prerequisite for applying. This is crucial since a significant portion of emergency calls are medical in nature. As a firefighter/EMT, you can expect a salary ranging from $63,140 to $85,210, with a mid-range salary of $68,060.

6. Do firefighters double as EMTs?

Yes, firefighters often serve as EMTs. This dual-role began in the early 1970s, transitioning from single-role firefighters focused solely on extinguishing fires to those also trained in emergency medical services. As of now, the salary for a firefighter/EMT ranges from $63,140 to $85,210, with a median salary of $68,060.

7. What pays more EMT or paramedic?

Paramedics generally earn more than EMTs due to their advanced training and responsibilities. For Firefighter/EMTs, salaries range from a minimum of $63,140 to a mid-level of $68,060, with a maximum of $85,210. This indicates that while EMTs have a solid earning potential, Paramedics typically receive higher compensation.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job