Firefighters Salary in New Jersey
Firefighters in New Jersey earn a median annual wage of $84,130 —41.9% above the national median of $59,280. That ranks NJ #4 of 50 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.79× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in New Jersey.
Highest-paying states for firefighters
All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. New Jersey is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $100,960 | $48.54 | 12,950 | 0.60 |
| 2 | Washington | $94,520 | $45.44 | 7,560 | 0.96 |
| 3 | California | $85,120 | $40.92 | 31,470 | 0.78 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $84,130 | $40.45 | 7,500 | 0.79 |
| 5 | Illinois | $78,380 | $37.68 | 18,400 | 1.36 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $77,630 | $37.32 | 2,970 | 0.79 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $75,870 | $36.48 | 1,480 | 0.95 |
| 8 | Colorado | $74,170 | $35.66 | 6,510 | 1.02 |
| 9 | Maryland | $73,810 | $35.49 | 5,340 | 0.87 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $73,460 | $35.32 | 5,020 | 0.37 |
Related occupations in New Jersey
Occupations in the same job family, compared within New Jersey.
| Occupation | New Jersey median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $38,880 | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,610 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $94,770 | $58,940 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,760 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $142,990 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $116,300 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do firefighters make in New Jersey?
The median annual wage for firefighters in New Jersey is $84,130, or $40.45 per hour. That is 41.9% above the national median of $59,280.
What is the entry-level firefighters salary in New Jersey?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $47,920 per year ($23.04/hour). The 25th percentile is $61,340.
How many people work as firefighters in New Jersey?
About 7,500 people work in this occupation in New Jersey, or 1.8 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is New Jersey a good state for firefighters?
New Jersey ranks #4 of 50 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.79x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in New Jersey.
Which state pays firefighters the most?
New York has the highest median wage at $100,960 per year, followed by Washington ($94,520) and California ($85,120).