Firefighters Salary in Pennsylvania
Firefighters in Pennsylvania earn a median annual wage of $73,460 —23.9% above the national median of $59,280. That ranks PA #10 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 0.37× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Pennsylvania.
Highest-paying states for firefighters
All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Pennsylvania.
| Occupation | Pennsylvania median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $37,050 | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,470 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,460 | $58,940 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,480 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,400 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $97,580 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do firefighters make in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage for firefighters in Pennsylvania is $73,460, or $35.32 per hour. That is 23.9% above the national median of $59,280.
What is the entry-level firefighters salary in Pennsylvania?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $48,620 per year ($23.38/hour). The 25th percentile is $56,210.
How many people work as firefighters in Pennsylvania?
About 5,020 people work in this occupation in Pennsylvania, or 0.8 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for firefighters?
Pennsylvania ranks #10 of 50 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.37x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Pennsylvania.
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).