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Hourly Wage for Fire Fighter II Salary in the United States

How much does a Fire Fighter II make hourly?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Fire Fighter II in the United States is $30, which translates to an annual salary of about $62,749.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $36 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $27 to $33 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $24 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Fire Fighter II Salaries

A Fire Fighter II'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 Fighter II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Fire Fighter II'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:

  • Fire Fighter I (1-3 years): $45,251
  • Fire Fighter II (3-5 years): $62,749
  • Fire Captain (5+ years): $85,432
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Fire Fighter I1-3 years$45,251
Fire Fighter II3-5 years$62,749
Fire Captain5+ years$85,432

Top Paying Cities for Fire Fighter 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: $79,145
  • San Francisco: $78,279
  • Oakland: $76,629

What Skills Can Increase a Fire Fighter 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%

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 Fighter 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 $65,886
5%
Innovation $65,259
4%
Analysis $64,631
3%

Fire Fighter II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Fire Fighter II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,122. While startup companies pay approximate $58,642.

Fire Fighter II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,642
Growth Stage 51~500 $61,977
Established 501~5000 $66,794
Enterprise 5000+ $69,122

Fire Fighter II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Fire Fighter 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, Fire Fighter positions in Software & Networking or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Fire Fighter II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Fire Fighter II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$87,849$42.040%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$69,024$33.010%

Fire Fighter II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Fire Fighter 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 September 01, 2026
$56,571
Average $62,749/year
$69,379
$4,714
Average $5,229/month
$5,782
$1,088
Average $1,207/week
$1,334
$27
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $69,379 $5,782 $1,334 $33
Average $62,749 $5,229 $1,207 $30
25th Percentile $56,571 $4,714 $1,088 $27

Most common benefits for Fire Fighter II

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

Common company salaries for Fire Fighter II

Here are companies hiring for Fire Fighter II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Fire Fighter II

1. What are the responsibilities of Fire Fighter II?

Responsible for rapid response to fires, accidents, and other emergencies to protect people, property, and the environment. Works with firefighting teams to control and extinguish fires and safely manage hazardous materials. Performs search and rescue, responds to auto accidents, and provides emergency medical services. Uses and operates fire tools, equipment and apparatus as effectively and safely as possible. Performs routine maintenance and inspection of firefighting equipment and gear to ensure proper condition and preparedness for emergencies. Prepares post-incident reports as required. May participate in fire safety education and inspection activities. Typically is required to pass periodic physical ability tests. May require registry in NREMT. May require an associate degree in fire science. Requires Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works independently within established procedures associated with the specific job function. Has gained proficiency in multiple competencies relevant to the job. Typically requires 3-5 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Fire Fighter II

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Agility: The ability to think quickly and clearly.

2.)

CPR: 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.

3.)

Hydraulics: Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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