Volunteer Fire Fighter Salary in the United States

How much does a Volunteer Fire Fighter make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Volunteer Fire Fighter in the United States is $62,428 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, a Volunteer Fire Fighter's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,117
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,387 to $69,070
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,888

Key Factors That Influence Volunteer Fire Fighter Salaries

A Volunteer Fire Fighter'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 Volunteer Fire Fighter 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 Volunteer Fire Fighters. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $69,120.
  • California: $68,858.
  • Massachusetts: $67,940.

Top Paying Cities for Volunteer Fire Fighters

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: $78,740
  • San Francisco: $77,878
  • Oakland: $76,237

What Skills Can Increase a Volunteer Fire Fighter'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 Volunteer Fire Fighter'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 $65,549
5%
Innovation $64,925
4%
Analysis $64,301
3%

Volunteer Fire Fighter Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a Volunteer Fire Fighter

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$87,399$42.040%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$68,671$33.010%

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

Understanding how a Volunteer Fire Fighter'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
$56,387
Average $62,428/year
$69,070
$4,699
Average $5,202/month
$5,756
$1,084
Average $1,201/week
$1,328
$27
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $69,070 $5,756 $1,328 $33
Average $62,428 $5,202 $1,201 $30
25th Percentile $56,387 $4,699 $1,084 $27

Most common benefits for Volunteer Fire Fighter

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

Common company salaries for Volunteer Fire Fighter

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

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FAQ about Volunteer Fire Fighter

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Volunteer Fire Fighter?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Volunteer Fire Fighter 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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