Firefighter Salary in Mississippi (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Mississippi Median
$35,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-39% vs US median
US median $59,280
State Rank
#49 of 50
2,920 employed here

How much does a Firefighter make in Mississippi?

Firefighters in Mississippi take home a median of $35,880 annually — roughly $17.25 an hour — which runs 39% below the national median of $59,280.

Within Mississippi, entry-level pay starts around $26,850 while the top 10% make $51,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,430 and $44,060 a year.

Firefighter salary range in Mississippi

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$26,850$12.91
25th percentile (early career)$29,430$14.15
50th percentile (median)$35,880$17.25
75th percentile (experienced)$44,060$21.18
90th percentile (top earners)$51,310$24.67

How Mississippi compares

Mississippi ranks 49th 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 Mississippi

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 Mississippi pay ($35,880) 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 Mississippi?
The median Firefighter salary in Mississippi is $35,880 per year, or about $17.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $26,850 at the entry level to $51,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Mississippi pay compare to the national average?
Mississippi pays Firefighters about 39% less than the national median of $59,280. Mississippi ranks 49th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Mississippi a good state for Firefighters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,880 a year. About 2,920 Firefighters are employed in Mississippi. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Mississippi?
The highest-paying occupations in Mississippi include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($544,130), General Internal Medicine Physician ($325,610), Physician, Pathologists ($261,570), 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.