North Carolina Median
$37,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-36% vs US median
US median $59,280
State Rank
#46 of 50
19,410 employed here
How much does a Firefighter make in North Carolina?
Firefighters in North Carolina take home a median of $37,940 annually — roughly $18.24 an hour — which runs 36% below the national median of $59,280.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $29,360 while the top 10% make $61,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,010 and $47,690 a year.
Firefighter salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,360 | $14.12 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,010 | $16.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,940 | $18.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $47,690 | $22.93 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,940 | $29.78 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 46th 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 $73,460Massachusetts $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 $38,110West Virginia $37,350Kentucky $37,150Mississippi $35,880Louisiana $33,120
Working as a Firefighter in North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($37,940) 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 North Carolina?
The median Firefighter salary in North Carolina is $37,940 per year, or about $18.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,360 at the entry level to $61,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Firefighters about 36% less than the national median of $59,280. North Carolina ranks 46th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Firefighters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,940 a year. About 19,410 Firefighters are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.