Firefighter Salary in New York (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New York Median
$100,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+70% vs US median
US median $59,280
State Rank
#1 of 50
12,950 employed here

How much does a Firefighter make in New York?

Firefighters in New York take home a median of $100,960 annually — roughly $48.54 an hour — which runs 70% above the national median of $59,280.

Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $56,390 while the top 10% make $106,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,420 and $106,430 a year.

Firefighter salary range in New York

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$56,390$27.11
25th percentile (early career)$65,420$31.45
50th percentile (median)$100,960$48.54
75th percentile (experienced)$106,430$51.17
90th percentile (top earners)$106,440$51.17

How New York compares

New York ranks 1st 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 New York

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 New York pay ($100,960) 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 New York?
The median Firefighter salary in New York is $100,960 per year, or about $48.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,390 at the entry level to $106,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Firefighters about 70% more than the national median of $59,280. New York ranks 1st out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Firefighters?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $100,960 a year. About 12,950 Firefighters are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.