Firefighters Salary in Virginia
Firefighters in Virginia earn a median annual wage of $58,670 —1.0% below the national median of $59,280. That ranks VA #22 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 1.22× as concentrated as the national average, making Virginia a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for firefighters
All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. Virginia 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 Virginia
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Virginia.
| Occupation | Virginia median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $43,640 | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,870 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,140 | $58,940 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,070 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,230 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $112,760 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do firefighters make in Virginia?
The median annual wage for firefighters in Virginia is $58,670, or $28.21 per hour. That is 1.0% below the national median of $59,280.
What is the entry-level firefighters salary in Virginia?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $38,310 per year ($18.42/hour). The 25th percentile is $46,200.
How many people work as firefighters in Virginia?
About 11,160 people work in this occupation in Virginia, or 2.7 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Virginia a good state for firefighters?
Virginia ranks #22 of 50 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.22x as concentrated as the national average, making Virginia a strong market for this occupation.
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).