Firefighter Salary in Maryland (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Firefighters in Maryland, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Maryland Median
$73,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.49
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $59,280
State Rank
#9 of 50
5,340 employed here

How much does a Firefighter make in Maryland?

Firefighters in Maryland take home a median of $73,810 annually — roughly $35.49 an hour — which runs 25% above the national median of $59,280.

Within Maryland, entry-level pay starts around $48,030 while the top 10% make $98,770 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,160 and $90,760 a year.

Firefighter salary range in Maryland

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,030$23.09
25th percentile (early career)$57,160$27.48
50th percentile (median)$73,810$35.49
75th percentile (experienced)$90,760$43.63
90th percentile (top earners)$98,770$47.49

How Maryland compares

Maryland ranks 9th out of 50 states and territories for Firefighter pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$100,960
2Washington$94,520
3California$85,120
4New Jersey$84,130
5Illinois$78,380

Working as a Firefighter in Maryland

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 Maryland pay ($73,810) 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 Maryland?
The median Firefighter salary in Maryland is $73,810 per year, or about $35.49 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,030 at the entry level to $98,770 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Maryland pay compare to the national average?
Maryland pays Firefighters about 25% more than the national median of $59,280. Maryland ranks 9th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Maryland a good state for Firefighters?
Yes on pay — Maryland pays above the national median for this occupation, at $73,810 a year. About 5,340 Firefighters are employed in Maryland. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Maryland?
The highest-paying occupations in Maryland include Radiologist ($581,510), Emergency Medicine Physician ($451,620), Dermatologist ($442,210), 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.