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Firefighter First Responder Salary in the United States

How much does a Firefighter First Responder make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Firefighter First Responder in the United States is $62,042 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $74,653
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,039 to $68,643
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,573
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Firefighter First Responder Salaries

A Firefighter First Responder'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 First Responder 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 First Responders. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $68,693.
  • California: $68,432.
  • Massachusetts: $67,520.

Top Paying Cities for Firefighter First Responders

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: $78,254
  • San Francisco: $77,397
  • Oakland: $75,766

What Skills Can Increase a Firefighter First Responder'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 First Responder'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 $65,144
5%
Innovation $64,524
4%
Analysis $63,903
3%
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Firefighter First Responder Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a Firefighter First Responder

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$86,859$42.040%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$68,246$33.010%

Firefighter First Responder Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Firefighter First Responder'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
$56,039
Average $62,042/year
$68,643
$4,670
Average $5,170/month
$5,720
$1,078
Average $1,193/week
$1,320
$27
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,643 $5,720 $1,320 $33
Average $62,042 $5,170 $1,193 $30
25th Percentile $56,039 $4,670 $1,078 $27

Most common benefits for Firefighter First Responder

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

Common company salaries for Firefighter First Responder

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

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FAQ about Firefighter First Responder

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Firefighter First Responder?

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

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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