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:
Fire Fighter II Salaries by Percentile
| 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 |
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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Fighter I | 1-3 years | $45,251 |
| Fire Fighter II | 3-5 years | $62,749 |
| Fire Captain | 5+ years | $85,432 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Agility | 5.01% |
| CPR | 5.28% |
| Hydraulics | 1.79% |
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.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Management | $65,886 | |
| Innovation | $65,259 | |
| Analysis | $64,631 |
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.
| 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 |
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.
| 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 |
Salaries for a Fire Fighter II can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $44,004 in 2023 to around $43,940 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Fire Fighter II salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $44,004 |
| 2024 | $44,298 |
| 2025 | $43,940 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
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.
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.
Agility: The ability to think quickly and clearly.
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.
Hydraulics: Hydraulics is a technology and applied science using engineering, chemistry, and other sciences involving the mechanical properties and use of liquids.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers: