Colorado Median
$74,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $59,280
State Rank
#8 of 50
6,510 employed here
How much does a Firefighter make in Colorado?
Firefighters in Colorado take home a median of $74,170 annually — roughly $35.66 an hour — which runs 25% above the national median of $59,280.
Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $47,000 while the top 10% make $114,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,970 and $101,260 a year.
Firefighter salary range in Colorado
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,000 | $22.60 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,970 | $29.31 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,170 | $35.66 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $101,260 | $48.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,170 | $54.89 |
|
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks 8th out of 50 states and territories for Firefighter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Firefighter salary in other states
New York $100,960Washington $94,520California $85,120New Jersey $84,130Illinois $78,380Connecticut $77,630District of Columbia $75,870Maryland $73,810Pennsylvania $73,460Massachusetts $72,800Oregon $70,900Rhode Island $67,380Nevada $66,570Indiana $62,780Nebraska $61,040Texas $60,180Ohio $59,370Montana $59,310Arizona $59,280Alaska $58,830Virginia $58,670Florida $58,550Wyoming $58,090New Hampshire $56,620Iowa $55,810North Dakota $55,080Michigan $54,640Oklahoma $49,710Tennessee $49,300Missouri $49,080Utah $48,310Maine $48,290South Dakota $48,160Alabama $47,600Idaho $47,320Wisconsin $46,850Delaware $46,710Georgia $46,550Vermont $46,430Kansas $45,900South Carolina $42,570New Mexico $41,590Arkansas $39,690Minnesota $38,110North Carolina $37,940West Virginia $37,350Kentucky $37,150Mississippi $35,880Louisiana $33,120
Working as a Firefighter in Colorado
Nationally, about 346,000 people work as Firefighters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Colorado pay ($74,170) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Firefighter make in Colorado?
The median Firefighter salary in Colorado is $74,170 per year, or about $35.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,000 at the entry level to $114,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Firefighters about 25% more than the national median of $59,280. Colorado ranks 8th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Firefighters?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,170 a year. About 6,510 Firefighters are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Firefighter salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.