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 level | Annual salary | Hourly 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:
Firefighter salary in other states
Washington $94,520California $85,120New Jersey $84,130Illinois $78,380Connecticut $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 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
Related salaries
$38,020
median pay · 1,283,000 employed
$74,060
median pay · 6,000 employed
$43,370
median pay · 10,000 employed
$42,540
median pay · 82,000 employed
$56,600
median pay · 17,000 employed
$58,940
median pay · 381,000 employed
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.