West Virginia Median
$37,350
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-37% vs US median
US median $59,280
State Rank
#47 of 50
900 employed here
How much does a Firefighter make in West Virginia?
Firefighters in West Virginia take home a median of $37,350 annually — roughly $17.96 an hour — which runs 37% below the national median of $59,280.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $29,020 while the top 10% make $51,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,950 and $44,100 a year.
Firefighter salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,020 | $13.95 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $32,950 | $15.84 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,350 | $17.96 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $44,100 | $21.20 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,390 | $24.71 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 47th 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 $38,110North Carolina $37,940Kentucky $37,150Mississippi $35,880Louisiana $33,120
Working as a Firefighter in West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($37,350) 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 West Virginia?
The median Firefighter salary in West Virginia is $37,350 per year, or about $17.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,020 at the entry level to $51,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Firefighters about 37% less than the national median of $59,280. West Virginia ranks 47th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Firefighters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,350 a year. About 900 Firefighters are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.