r/Firefighting • u/NerdlinGeeksly • Jun 11 '25
General Discussion How much do you make per year at your fire department?
My city fire department pays 60,000 a year starting out, 80,000 after 4 years, and 100,000 after 10 years.
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u/Still75home Jun 11 '25
Central Coast CA. 10yrs, captain. $240k gross, I work a lot and go OOC as single resource
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u/fender1878 California FF Jun 12 '25
Same, Central Coast CA, 12 yrs, Captain, $180k-ish, don’t work much OT, do go OOC on assignments.
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u/Datsunoffroad Jun 12 '25
Just curious, what’s OOC? Never heard that before. God bless the acronym soup gods.
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u/fender1878 California FF Jun 12 '25
Out of County. It’s common here in California on both the wildland fire and USAR side, going out of county as either part of an RTF, strike team, incident management team, etc.
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u/Datsunoffroad Jun 12 '25
Due you get paid the full 24 OT? Some states only pay 12 hours while “deployed/OOC”.
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u/fender1878 California FF Jun 12 '25 edited Jun 12 '25
Yes and it’s portal to portal. So the moment you’re on the ticket, you’re being paid and up until you get back home and clock out at the station. The caveat is, you’re only paid OT for the days you normally weren’t scheduled to work.
So like if you go out day one of your 48hr shift, no extra money on that 48. But as soon as you hit your four days off, it’s four days of 24 OT. This also includes any downtime hotel days, it’s all paid. Typically, if you’re assigned to CalFire incidents, they’ll be 24 on, 24 off during the assignment. You’re paid regardless of it’s your 24 off or 24 work day.
On a two week strike team assignment, I’ll make like $15-$16k in OT.
If you’re single resource or have a position on a management team, you could be gone 21 days or more at a time. Not uncommon to make ridiculous money on a team.
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u/Datsunoffroad Jun 13 '25
Shit, sorry. I should have mentioned I’m on a Florida team with 10 fed deployments (primarily flood/Hurricane). Yeah, very similar rules for us as well. You described it perfectly. See you as the big one!
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u/ZuluPapa DoD FF/AEMT Jun 11 '25
Without location info, salary info is useless.
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u/MapleSizzurpp Jun 12 '25
No location in a comment is a trouble breathing call. What the fuck are we doing here?
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u/CohoWind Jun 12 '25
Someone needs to state the obvious for the newbies, so I will: Pay and benefits are highest in blue states that allow collective bargaining. So it isn’t a matter of luck that some commenters here, just entry-level FF/EMTs, started at close to 100k. In all 3 west coast states, career departments are all represented by IAFF locals in a “closed shop” arrangement. You can’t opt out of union membership, or go down the highway a couple of miles to find a non-union paid department because you don’t like unions, dues, or whatever. If you live in a red “right to work” state, you may brag all day about your lower cost of living. But you will never be adequately compensated for your service as a firefighter, because you don’t have the collective power of union representation working for you.
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u/BlackIron1six Jun 12 '25
Im in a "red" state, we have unions, and i made 85k last year base. I just got a 3 year contract with a 30.1% raise as well.
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u/Dusty_V2 Career + Paid-on-call Jun 12 '25
Yeah. It really has more to do with cost of living than anything. A union in a low cost of living state or area isn't going to get $100k starting.
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u/1A12Bill Jun 12 '25
California is an open shop state when it comes to union representation. Here’s what that means: • Workers cannot be forced to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment, even in unionized workplaces. • However, unions still have a duty to represent all workers in the bargaining unit, including those who choose not to join or pay dues.
This is largely due to the Janus v. AFSCME decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018, which ruled that public sector employees cannot be required to pay union dues or fees if they choose not to join the union. While Janus applies specifically to public employees, California law also protects the rights of private-sector workers under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which prohibits compulsory union membership.
So in short: • Public sector: Open shop (no forced dues/membership due to Janus). • Private sector: Open shop under federal law (NLRA prohibits “closed shop” agreements).
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u/you_have_my_username Jun 12 '25
As of 2018 you don’t have to pay union dues as a condition of employment for public employees no matter what state you live in. That was the Janus decision from the Supreme Court.
I’m not supporting the Janus decision, just bringing it up because you said you can’t opt out of membership which isn’t true anymore.
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u/Affectionate-Bag-611 Jun 12 '25
You're insane. You can't compare the COL from Southern California to Atlanta GA lol. COL absolutely makes a difference in wages.
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u/McthiccumTheChikum FIREFIGHTER/PARAGOD Jun 11 '25
110k 11 year ff/pm.
I believe new hires start around 95k
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u/frankreddit5 Jun 11 '25
Gosh. Our area is $45k starting, 2 years in you can anticipate $50k. $60k if medic. Florida.
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u/505backup_1 Jun 12 '25
$60k for a medic in an expensive place is insane, at the small deparment I'm applying to they start paramedics at 6 figures with a far lower COL
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u/Confident_Benefit753 Jun 11 '25
im in florida. will be at 102k this august. 7 years in november. emt, degree pay and other small incentives
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u/frankreddit5 Jun 12 '25
Must be a big city? Miami? Orlando? Small towns in Florida don’t pay well. Though the house isn’t as busy
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u/greygobblin Jun 12 '25
I'm in a mid sized county on the west coast of FL. Topped out FF/PM 120k
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u/thtboii FF/Paramedic Jun 11 '25
How is the pay compared to cost of living where you’re at?
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u/McthiccumTheChikum FIREFIGHTER/PARAGOD Jun 11 '25
Fair but it's definitely gone up. 275-325k will get you a solid house, nothing fancy though.
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u/YaBoiOverHere Jun 11 '25
That’s incredible starting pay for that cost of living
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u/NerdlinGeeksly Jun 12 '25
Indiana is even better, Specifically Evansville Indiana. You can make 100K in 10 years and the most expensive houses here are between 100K and 150k. You cab get by comfortably on just 40k a year with no kids. Starting pay is 60k.
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u/Neither_Breakfast136 Jun 11 '25
56k starting, South East US.
In process of switching departments a little north, 72k starting
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u/meanmachine1985 Jun 12 '25
117,000 1st class, 60% probie, 3 , 6, 9% retention pay, 120% captains, 138% platoon chief
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u/ninjagoat5234 Glorified Car Washer Jun 11 '25
35 take home, south east mid size department
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u/505backup_1 Jun 12 '25
I made more than that in highschool just in New Mexico not risking my life, my hat's off to you. That's genuine passion
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u/ninjagoat5234 Glorified Car Washer Jun 12 '25
yeah it's actually garbage but i appreciate you saying that, i'm just building experience right now and i might move out west sometime
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u/OpiateAlligator Senior Rookie Jun 11 '25
6 year ff/medic. 140k base before other incentives and OT. Western Washington State.
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Jun 12 '25
5 years at my current, made $149,000 last year as a firefighter paramedic. Metroplex in Texas
4 years at my previous and the top out there was $60,000 as a firefighter paramedic after 12 years.
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u/Suspicious_Elk_5914 Jun 11 '25
2 year FF/EMT. 150k. Phenomenal pension, benefits, and retirement.
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u/18SmallDogsOnAHorse Do Your Job Jun 11 '25
With or without OT? That's a solid number that early if you're not working a shit ton of OT.
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u/Suspicious_Elk_5914 Jun 11 '25
3-4 days a month.
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u/g8rfreek88 Jun 11 '25
Good lord that’s absolute insanity. Good for you. 10 years on, 1 year as a LT, base is $75k. May I please have an app to your dept?
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u/20bucksis20bucks__ Jun 12 '25
A lot of WA departments start around $90K. Top out as a firefighter at 3-4 years and $115k. And each OT shift is ~$1400-$1800, so working just 2 extra shifts a month very quickly adds $40K to your base.
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u/Hmarf Volunteer FF Jun 11 '25
$0, volunteer dept
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u/Hyperion1024 German volunteer Jun 12 '25
-15€ in membership fees
(You get it back in food and drink at the General assembly and Christmas party.)
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u/Chicken_Hairs AIC/AEMT Jun 11 '25
Also vol, usually make 7-10k each fire season going on wildland fires.
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u/wessex464 Jun 11 '25
Need people to clarify if 3 platoon or 4 platoon systems. Obvious income goes down moving 3-> 4 but quality of life and second job prospects go way up.
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u/Jumpy_Bus3253 Jun 12 '25
PNW 18 years FF/PM base 130k average mid 150s with OT. This years crazy with OT just 101k for the year.
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u/Status_Monitor_4360 Jun 11 '25
17 year Lt. Made $115 last year. Decent pension, and retiree health care.
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u/TheHappy_13 Lt. at the busiest FH in the city. My fire engines are green Jun 11 '25
7 years Lt. $84k + $4533 (I think) state incentive + a crap ton of OT = $145k.
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u/pj713 Jun 11 '25
My base as an engineer paramedic in Arizona is 96k with OT around 120k I’ve been there 5 years. No step program, just COLA and raises every year
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u/Necessary-Piece-8406 Jun 11 '25
CA here. Just at 90k base pay without incentives or overtime. FF/EMT 2 years on.
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u/Quinnjamin19 Paid on call/High angle rescue Jun 12 '25
Paid on call here in Ontario Canada.
$6k-$10k per year plus 9% match into a pension each pay period (Quarterly)
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u/OHiOmyGod Jun 12 '25
Southwest Ohio- At 78k, in 3 more years I’ll be at 102k with bonuses and incentives as a medic/FF2.
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u/deezdiamondnutz Jun 12 '25
10yrs on. 91k. Max out next year at 96k. Company Officer maxes out 4 years post promotion at 117k, currently. Upper midwest. Mediocre pension. Low COL.
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u/peterbound Jun 12 '25
Colorado Captain 13 years I think I make around 180 a year with some overtime (not much)
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u/InternalBodybuilder3 Jun 12 '25
3 years completed last year, base 77k Made 102k with ot and stipends 24/72 NJ We dont ride the ambulance, but we do run a good amount of medicals. This year, my base is 87k...I'll probably make around the same as last year, while working less ot. The new contract is coming next year, salaries should rise, but medical insurance is expected to rise 15%, and pension contributions are being discussed.
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u/CallMeCaptainChaos Career Lt/Paramedic Jun 12 '25
LT/PM at a Wa State Rural combination department. 2nd year at current agency. 4th year career.
$122,600/yr, about $168,000 after overtime. Starting my third year as full time career. Fixed 48 3-platoon schedule (same two days a week with rotating Saturdays every 3 weeks)
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u/NoStar9689 Jun 12 '25
What if I told you it’s less than 50k as a FF/Medic. Gotta love the south.
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u/AcanthocephalaTop199 Jun 13 '25
FF/PM Los Angeles. 5 yrs as a medic base $155k with a little Ot $230-250k a year
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u/BigZeke919 Jun 11 '25
Southeast- 16 yrs in- $70k Apparatus Driver- started at $30k- they start now at $50k
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u/lpfan724 Jun 11 '25
10 years at my current agency, FF/EMT. Located in Florida. I made $65k last year.
I wonder why my department can't keep people...
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u/Which-Combination279 Jun 11 '25
About 130 base and unlimited overtime But we run almost 1 million calls a year
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u/PokadotExpress Jun 11 '25
104 is the first class, but after shift diff and other things usually pull in 130 without much ot. We're 5 years without a contract and now waiting on arbitration ruling, where we expect a good raise and retro pay.
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u/MaleficentCoconut594 Edit to create your own flair Jun 12 '25
10 years, $0
Volley 😂
Do have a small state pension though when I turn 65
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u/NeedleworkerFluid703 Jun 12 '25
I have 2 years on as a FF/EMT. Work in northwestern WV and make 37k no benefits.
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u/warispeacex Jun 12 '25
Southeast, no contracts/collective bargaining state, hired in January 2011 as FF/EMT, 2 promotions (Lieutenant), $84k base, $92k after holiday pay, $95k after holiday bonus and specialty team bonus, $105k after 240hrs of OT. 24/48 w/ Kelly day (53 hour work week).
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u/Flattop_medic Jun 12 '25
$140k base, on my 6th year. That’s including a medic bonus. Southern California.
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u/Curri Jun 11 '25
Base $92.8k, but I grossed roughly $130k last year thanks to overtime. 8 years in
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u/Ok_Buddy_9087 Edit to create your own flair Jun 11 '25 edited Jun 11 '25
46 in the academy, 66 within 3 years. Longevity starts at completion of 5 years. Eligible for promotion at 4 years which is a different scale obviously. 4 platoon schedule.
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u/njfish93 NJ Career Jun 11 '25
112 at the end of this contract after 10 years. 24/72, no EMS.
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u/tamman2000 Jun 12 '25
Shit dude! Is it a completely unaffordable area or something? And no EMS?
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u/njfish93 NJ Career Jun 12 '25
NJ. 10k yr property tax is normal here and a fixer upper in a good school district is 300k. Add in state income tax, 10 percent pension contribution, and covering up to 35 percent of the cost of your healthcare and it doesn't go as far as it should. Edit: Yes no EMS. Well roll on a crash with injuries or when the ambulance is tied up and it's an ALS run but it's not our bread and butter calls.
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u/Midyew59 Jun 11 '25
Zero, zilch, nada. Volunteer Dept.
Although, we do get a "clothing allowance" every year on our anniversary that can range from $350-$600 depending on how many calls you made and how many trainings you attended. It's called a "clothing allowance" for whatever reason but it's just a check you get and can do whatever with.
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u/TakeOff_YourPants Jun 11 '25
How insane is it that there’s no standard over which areas are volunteer and which aren’t 😂 like there’s paid departments that run 120 calls year and vollies who run thousands. I saw department of wildlife workers going fucking SCUBA diving at work today but places still say they can’t afford paid emergency responders.
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u/locknloadchode TX FF/Medic Jun 12 '25
Should come out to around $115k this year. First year here but it’s not 911
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u/tamman2000 Jun 12 '25
Paid call department in a small town. Historically we're a volunteer department and still function that way, but to ensure the town can't screw us on workers comp (it happened in a nearby town) we make minimum wage, which in my state is $14.65. I telecommute for my day job and my work is pretty solitary (astronomy data analysis software engineer), so I'm almost always available to go on calls and just work my regular job later into the evening to make up for it. I think I made close to a bit over $1500 last year
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u/R0cksrfun Jun 12 '25
There are some departments topping out at 98-105k within 3-4 years around me. Metro Detroit MI
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u/jamtron9billion Jun 12 '25
105k. 11 years, Engineer with specialty pay and degree incentives. 0 hours of OT. ATL suburbs. I’ll top out at 111k next year.
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u/Few-Kiwi-8215 Career FF/EMT (urban) Jun 12 '25
4 year deckie, $114k with 1-2 OT shifts a check. We work 8 days a month. Working on getting the better pension and retiree healthcare back since they were lost during the cities bankruptcy.
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u/Roman556 Career FF/EMT Jun 12 '25
Southeastern MA, Firefighter/EMT, step 2 pay, 68k before OT. We transport so it never feels like enough.
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u/danawhitesbaldhead Jun 12 '25
11 years - 150k CAD
4 platoon - I work 1 OT every 6 weeks on average.
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u/Apcsox Jun 12 '25
Small town (5,000 residents) in MA, call volume of 1700ish. Our new contract is starting our basics at $74k, with top step (at 3 years) making $86k. Our medics start at $83k and top step at $90k (we only have 2 per group, and since the town refused to hire any more help, they at least pay us for the fact we do it all)
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u/Artisanal_Apples Jun 12 '25
As an Australian, the pay some of you are taking home makes my eyes water. But I guess we aren't also EMT/Paramedics over here. $120K AUD whish is about $78K USD. I'm 3 years in with a moderate amount of OT.
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u/Big_Cloud_9709 Jun 12 '25
Max pay CPT 125k base plus training(all special teams training is off duty) seniority etc etc + OT 196k last year. Meds make 6%
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u/Right-Edge9320 Jun 12 '25
Top step medic captain with 7.5 education bonus. 9 percent emt bonus. Maxed out vacation payout. $207k
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u/Acrobatic-Court7518 Jun 12 '25
Located in the NW, 4yrs on. 120k base + a few incentives for tech disciplines, driver pay etc... total on my W2 was 174k (about 820hrs OT).
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u/Holiday-Practice-852 Jun 12 '25
Central NH, non bargaining department, 9 years made 100K last year, we've also gotten 19%,13%,5% in the last 3 years.
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u/tanner_bee Jun 12 '25
SoCal. FF/EMT. 2 years on. Grossed 146k gross last year with about 15 days of OT. Took about the same amount of shifts off
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u/160at50 WA FF/EMT Jun 12 '25
Top step FF is 106k, probie is 85k, if your a medic add 10%. On probie wage last year I made 105k after OT non medic.
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u/TipFar1326 Jun 12 '25
Small rural department, Midwest blue state, starting is $50k no experience $60k if you already have FF/EMT
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u/Ok-Counter6384 Jun 12 '25
Tx, 3rd year FF/EMT-b. Get paid for my degree and one specialty team. Base is 76k will clear 94k this year with two shifts of OT a month.
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u/KGBspy Career FF/Lt and adult babysitter. Jun 12 '25
Mass. Lt. 24 years. I’m in the low 100k’s every year, one year due to overtime and details I came in a few hundred shy of $200k, I won’t do that again, the burnout was real. It’s expensive to live here.
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u/Horseface4190 Jun 12 '25
I do alright, I feel my pay is commensurate with my time on and local COL. I thank my union.
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u/Successful_Plane_785 Jun 12 '25
Brazil: Approximately 11 thousand dollars.🤦🏻♂️
Civil aerodrome firefighter.
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u/Master_Amatuer Jun 12 '25
$133k last year with the Forest Service on a hotshot crew. 6th year with the agency… should be around $150k this year with our recent pay update. A lot of OT and travel.
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u/Infinite_Coyote_9633 Jun 12 '25
Literally a brand new hire for the county north of us in a southern state. 61,200 to start with 100% health vision and dental for me and my 5 dependents
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u/trogg21 Jun 12 '25
2nd year, New england small town, 46k, emt/ff, no overtime budget, no training budget, okay pension and health insurance
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u/InitiativeBetter742 Jun 12 '25
I was interested in becoming a firefighter but would you leave current career making 150-200k to become a fire fighter?
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u/RidingTheHighestWave Jun 12 '25
7 year volunteer EMT/FF. Colorado. Make between $60-75k a year going out single resource for wildfire deployments. Only work about 4 months out of the year.
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u/xyzzoom15 Jun 12 '25
61k as a firefighter paramedic been on for 4 years. Mid sized department in Ga. Reading all these other comments makes me wanna move out west or up north lol
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u/minorcarnage Jun 12 '25
Northern alberta. 18 years. Acting captain. I average About $160k CAD and don't take much overtime.
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u/Warm_Helicopter_1086 Jun 12 '25
This is fucking depressing to read.... Mobile Al, 20 years, driver, paramedic- 70k
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u/lpblade24 Jun 12 '25
Last year I made around 80k with overtime, I was IN my second year on the job for most of 2024.
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u/MeasurementParty4232 Jun 12 '25
Just got a step raise and make just under $60,000. When I get my next step raise next year with our 3% raise as well, I'll be making $67,000. The next step raise (my 5th year) I'll be making a little more than $71,000 just as a FF. Attached (should be) our pay scale.
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u/Dependent-Title8912 Jun 12 '25
WNY, 24 years, $98000/yr for FF, starting is around $50000. I did about $130000 with OT
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u/JOLLYrokker Jun 12 '25
This thread is crazy to me, really makes me feel like I’m getting screwed with my salary.
6 years on the job, FF/PM in a busy city in southeastern VA. My base salary is 64k before any overtime. I am a union member as well. Seeing all these 6 figure+ base salaries is crazy!
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u/CincySwein69 Jun 12 '25
Ohio and recruit is 50k-ish and top out with 4 years on is 102k with your medic card. EMT top out is 96ish
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u/RockstarBojangles Jun 12 '25
100k firefighter in MA. Left a dept where I made 140k. Stupid move just to fight more fires. Make money your priority.
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u/JimHFD103 Jun 12 '25
Honolulu, base pay is ~$70K but with Overtime (I usually try to pick up a shift a pay period, so two a month) and I'm hovering around ~$90-100K
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u/Physical_Run475 Jun 12 '25
Memphis TN area. Start Ff is $52k. After 5 years $70k. Driver starts $75k Lt $85k BC $100k.
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u/Shoyobro Jun 12 '25
6 year hoseman. I'm at 86k with 4 more years until I'm maxed out. We just got a big bump last year and hoping to get another this year.
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u/xDeezBulletsss Jun 12 '25 edited Jun 12 '25
35k as FF/EMT, 45k as FEO/EMT, 55kish with ton of OT. Louisiana. Luckily No children. Underpaid, unappreciated by the dept, 15-20 calls daily(tons of ODs and Shootings/Stabbings). Texas looking real good right now.
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u/Capable-Shop9938 Jun 13 '25
A top step firefighter in my city is $99 thousand Driver -$114 thousand Lt- $126 thousands Cap $139 BC-$156
This is all before FSLA overtime, so it’s more than what’s listed.
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u/Simple_Valuable4499 Jun 13 '25
My dad worked in the Bay Area. Retired captain worked a lot of OT growing up. Was making 200-300k some years. Location plays a huge role
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u/rockinchucks Jun 13 '25
6 year FFPM, California, $140k before overtime and bennies. Total comp package approaching $240k.
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u/polkarama Jun 13 '25 edited Jun 13 '25
$120k base, 6 years, FFPM, Chicago burb
Also, health insurance 85%, $1800 of my $2000 deductible is paid for each member of the family
Healthy pension and still paying into Social Security
Thanks to AFFI and IAFF!
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u/MattTB727 FF/EMT Jun 13 '25
56k as a FF/EMT. Soon to be 67k FF/PM. In FL it ranges from 40ish/k to 110k+. Obvious answers are cost of living in your area. Rural areas, no good. Cities, you'll probably be ok. I make more than enough to pay bills and have money to blow.
Real answer: Become FF. Find hot nurse wife who makes way more than you ever will.
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u/CraigMalin Jun 13 '25
was the #1 responder at my volly dept. last year and got something like $3,200
pretty damn awesome
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u/Weak-Note-5989 Jun 13 '25
Midwest ,heavy ghetto ,no medical except csrdiac structure only. Fire fighter starts at 45 and tops out at 70
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u/StatementTypical1732 Jun 13 '25
Another thing to consider is the hours you are working. Several from Florida have mentioned some lower numbers, yet I believe there are some of their departments that are now on 42 hour schedules.
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u/Ok-Pianist-9390 Jun 13 '25
FF/EMT in SE Michigan I make $87,000 base salary. About 120,000 the last 3 years with my overtime working less each year
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u/Shenanigans64 Jun 13 '25
PNW department, 5yrs as a backstep FF/EMT with a Tech Rescue premium and I think I grossed ~ 165,000 with OT last year.
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u/LeBronFlakaJames Jun 13 '25
Busiest county in Central Florida. FF/EMTs start off at $54k and medics start at $65k.
We’ve been in contract negotiations for over a year.
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u/DirtPanda_iRacing Jun 12 '25
Location is an important factor here.