Illinois Median
$78,380
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.68
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+32% vs US median
US median $59,280
State Rank
#5 of 50
18,400 employed here
How much does a Firefighter make in Illinois?
A Firefighter working in Illinois earns a median salary of $78,380 per year, or about $37.68 per hour. That is 32% above the national median of $59,280 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $38,900 while the top 10% make $106,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,910 and $103,530 a year.
Firefighter salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,900 | $18.70 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,910 | $23.03 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,380 | $37.68 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $103,530 | $49.77 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,060 | $50.99 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 5th 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 $84,130Connecticut $77,630District of Columbia $75,870Colorado $74,170Maryland $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($78,380) 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 Illinois?
The median Firefighter salary in Illinois is $78,380 per year, or about $37.68 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,900 at the entry level to $106,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Firefighters about 32% more than the national median of $59,280. Illinois ranks 5th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Firefighters?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,380 a year. About 18,400 Firefighters are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.