15 Highest Paid Fire Departments

Highest Paid Fire Departments. When you ask a group of young children what they want to become when they grow up, you can bet that at least one will say “firefighter.” Perhaps because they are among the departments with the greatest salaries.

Even though very few individuals actually pursue a career as a firefighter, it is a beautiful field that isn’t for everyone. There is a drawn-out process you have to go through to become a fireman. You can enter any of the highest paying fire departments for you, in addition to the intriguing adventure this job path offers.

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Is Firefighting a Good Job?

A rewarding occupation with a high level of job satisfaction is being a fireman. Being a fireman is a fantastic career choice if you appreciate helping people and giving back to your community, but be aware that it may occasionally be demanding, stressful, and even dangerous.

A terrific occupation is being a fireman. It offers numerous opportunities to help individuals in need in a genuine, meaningful way when conditions are dynamic. Nothing compares to riding aboard a fire truck. Each day is different. You will have the chance to solve a variety of issues by cooperating with a strong team (family). You use both your body and mind.

How Much Do Firefighters Make?

Depending on where you live and how much experience you have, the median salary for a fireman varies substantially. According to Ziprecruiter Statistics, the typical firefighter will make $44,421 in 2021. That equals roughly $21.05 per hour.

To put things in perspective, Ziprecruiter estimates that the average American’s income will be around $66,625 in 2021, therefore working as a fireman will pay you less than the national average.

As you spend more time with a department, there may be several opportunities for overtime in addition to a base salary and salary increases.

As a result, you’ll have a bit more influence over what you take home each week. There is always room for growth, even if your starting salary is below average.

As you gain experience and time with the department as a fireman, you’ll frequently be given the opportunity to get step raises as well as overtime opportunities.

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How To Become a Firefighter

1. Meet the Basic Requirements:

Bear in mind that these standards must be met by all prospective firefighters, whether they are paid or volunteer. Nearly all applicants for entry-level firefighter positions must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma (or its equivalent), and possess a current driver’s license for the area where they plan to work.

A certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) will also be necessary, either at the time of application or shortly after. Additionally, males under 25 must be presently enlisted in the Selective Service. Other requirements can include having U.S. citizenship or legal residency, as well as the capacity to receive a license that permits the holder to drive vehicles linked to their line of work, such ambulances and fire trucks.

2. Get the Right Degrees:

Becoming a firefighter does not necessitate holding a postsecondary degree or certificate in fire science. On the other hand, some companies favor new hires who have a certificate or undergraduate degree in fire science or a closely related discipline.

Your ability to advance your career into management and administration may be enhanced by earning a postsecondary degree or certificate.You can advance your career as a firefighter or find employment as one with the aid of a diploma or degree in fire science. Fire science undergraduate professional certificates and degrees, as well as master’s degrees at the graduate level, are offered by colleges and universities across the nation.

3. Participate in Fire Training:

Regardless of how you begin your career as a fireman, you must participate in firefighter training, which will most likely take place in a fire academy. The specifics of your training will be greatly influenced by the department for which you hope to work.

For instance, a lot of rural and small-town fire departments run their own fire academies, which usually feature evening and weekend training sessions led by department firemen.

A fire academy curriculum can last from a few weeks to several months, and there are alternatives for full- or part-time study during the day or at night. A fire academy curriculum can be completed in a few weeks to several months, either full- or part-time, with options for day and evening classes.

After completing all of the necessary training and other requirements specific to the fire department you want to join, it’s now time to submit an application.

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Highest Paying States for Fire Departments

All states pay their fire department staff good money, but only a few states pay better salaries. Hence to section them, the highest paid for fire departments include:

• New Jersey $89,350
• California $79,810
• Washington $78,950
• New York $77,830
• Connecticut $72,840
• Hawaii $66,100
• Oregon $64,270
• Massachusetts $63,910
• Pennsylvania $63,520
• Nevada $62,250
• Maryland $62,200
• Colorado $61,680
• Alaska $58,920
• Rhode Island $58,630
• Illinois $57,570

1. New Jersey:

New Jersey’s average firefighter pay is $89,350. New Jersey has the highest pay for firemen when compared to other states in the US. In New Jersey, a greater proportion of firemen work as fire inspectors and investigators.

The employment outlook for firefighters is anticipated to increase by 7% between 2016 and 2026, suggesting that firefighters have a bright future. They are now among the best compensated fire departments.

2. California:

The state of California pays its firemen an average of $79,810. While there have been instances where incomes have ranged from $21,137 to $156,314, the majority of firefighter salaries in California are currently between $37,849 and $92,903, with top earners receiving an annual salary of $130,261.

3. Washington:

The state’s average firefighter wage is $78,950. The majority of Firefighter salary in Washington now range from $65,354 to $83,156, with top earners earning $93,406 annually, while incomes as high as $93,655 and as low as $16,184 have been documented.

4. New York:

Firefighters in New York make an average of $77,830 annually. While we’ve seen earnings as high as $83,491 and as low as $45,228, the majority of New York City firefighter salaries currently fall between $57,841 and $89,779 per year, with top earners getting $89,650.

5. Connecticut:

The state’s average annual pay for firefighters is $72,840. While incomes as high as $87,443 and as low as $43,152 have been reported, the majority of firefighter pay in Connecticut today is in the $54,727 to $74,859 range, with the highest paid employees making $93,919 annually.

Hawaii is number 6; the average pay for firefighters there is $66,100. The majority of Firefighter salaries in Hawaii today range from $40,174 to $98,610 per year, with top earners receiving $138,263 per year, although we have seen incomes as high as $165,917 and as low as $22,435.

7. Oregon:

The state of Oregon pays its firemen an average of $64,270 annually. While earnings as high as $153,363 and as low as $18,817 have been reported, the majority of firefighters in Oregon today make between $25,403 and $48,925 per year, with the top ten percent making $115,256.

8. Massachusetts:

The state’s average fireman wage is $63,910. While earnings as high as $172,752 and as low as $23,360 have been reported, the majority of Massachusetts firefighter salaries today fall between $41,829 and $102,673, with top earners earning $143,960 annually.

9. Pennsylvania:

The state’s average annual pay for firefighters is $63,520. The majority of fireman salaries in Pennsylvania currently fall between the range of $32,738 to $51,716 annually, with top earners making $60,257, despite the fact that we’ve seen incomes as high as $63,579 and as low as $21,825.

10. Nevada:

A firefighter in Nevada makes an average of $62,250 per year. While we’ve seen salaries for firefighters in Nevada range from $38,088 to $93,488 per year, with the highest earners making $131,082, we’ve also seen earnings as low as $21,270 and as high as $157,298.

11. Maryland:

The state of Maryland pays its firemen an average of $62,200 annually. Although incomes as high as $160,101 and as low as $21,649 have been reported, the majority of firefighter salaries in Maryland currently fall between $38,766 and $95,153, with top earners making an average of $133,416 yearly.

12. Colorado

The state of Colorado pays its firemen an average of $61,680 annually. The majority of firefighter salaries in Colorado are currently between $25,366 and $48,853, with top earners earning $115,086 year, although we have seen incomes as high as $153,137 and as low as $18,790.

13. Alaska:

A firefighter’s annual wage in Alaska is $58,920. Despite reports of incomes as high as $58,831 and as low as $14,957, the majority of fireman salaries in Alaska currently fall between $23,432 and $39,885, with top earners taking home $49,357 annually.

14. Rhode Island:

The state of Rhode Island pays its firefighters an average annual wage of $58,630. The majority of firefighter salaries in Rhode Island are currently between $34,445 and $54,413 per year, with top earners making $63,399 per year, although we have seen incomes as high as $66,894 and as low as $22,964.

15. Illinois:

The state of Illinois pays its firemen an average of $57,570 annually. Despite having seen salaries as high as $85,891 and as low as $18,405, the bulk of salaries in Illinois for occupations in the fire department presently range from $27,607 to $71,429, with an average yearly wage of $76,250.

FAQs on Highest Paid Fire Departments

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