Massachusetts Median
$72,800
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $59,280
State Rank
#11 of 50
11,940 employed here
How much does a Firefighter make in Massachusetts?
Firefighters in Massachusetts take home a median of $72,800 annually — roughly $35.00 an hour — which runs 23% above the national median of $59,280.
Within Massachusetts, entry-level pay starts around $49,730 while the top 10% make $98,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,800 and $80,070 a year.
Firefighter salary range in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,730 | $23.91 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,800 | $29.71 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $72,800 | $35.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,070 | $38.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,130 | $47.18 |
|
How Massachusetts compares
Massachusetts ranks 11th 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 $75,870Colorado $74,170Maryland $73,810Pennsylvania $73,460Oregon $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 Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts pay ($72,800) 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 Massachusetts?
The median Firefighter salary in Massachusetts is $72,800 per year, or about $35.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,730 at the entry level to $98,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Massachusetts pay compare to the national average?
Massachusetts pays Firefighters about 23% more than the national median of $59,280. Massachusetts ranks 11th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Massachusetts a good state for Firefighters?
Yes on pay — Massachusetts pays above the national median for this occupation, at $72,800 a year. About 11,940 Firefighters are employed in Massachusetts. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Massachusetts?
The highest-paying occupations in Massachusetts include Radiologist ($426,560), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($392,300), Surgeon, All Other ($387,150), 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.