Master Firefighter Salary in the United States

How much does a Master Firefighter make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Master Firefighter in the United States is $52,221 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $65,013
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,455 to $58,917
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $37,384

Key Factors That Influence Master Firefighter Salaries

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

How Do Master Firefighter 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 Master Firefighters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $57,819.
  • California: $57,600.
  • Massachusetts: $56,832.

Top Paying Cities for Master Firefighters

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: $65,867
  • San Francisco: $65,145
  • Oakland: $63,773

What Skills Can Increase a Master Firefighter's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 13.55% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Administrative Support (Mentioned in 2.39% Job Postings): Administrative support means technical assistance, studies, surveys, or securing volunteers to assist the department in fulfilling its administrative responsibilities.
  • Security Policy (Mentioned in 1.59% Job Postings): A security policy is a document that states in writing how a company plans to protect its physical and information technology (IT) assets.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 13.55%
Administrative Support 2.39%
Security Policy 1.59%

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 Master Firefighter's salary.

  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Security Policy: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Social Work: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Decision Making $58,488
12%
Security Policy $57,966
11%
Social Work $56,399
8%

How Education impacts a Master Firefighter's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Master Firefighters enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Master Firefighter with a Bachelor's Degree is between $53,824 and $58,083).

Master Firefighter Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Master Firefighter
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.0%
High School 10.0%
Associates 10.0%
Bachelors 35.0%
Masters 50.0%
Doctorate 0.0%

Master Firefighter Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Master Firefighter'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
$44,455
Average $52,221/year
$58,917
$3,705
Average $4,352/month
$4,910
$855
Average $1,004/week
$1,133
$21
Average $25/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,917 $4,910 $1,133 $28
Average $52,221 $4,352 $1,004 $25
25th Percentile $44,455 $3,705 $855 $21

Most common benefits for Master Firefighter

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

Common company salaries for Master Firefighter

Here are companies hiring for Master Firefighter and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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.

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