Firefighter salary in Alabama
Firefighters in Alabama earn a median of $47,600 a year ($22.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,190 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $59,280. Alabama ranks 35th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 3.4 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| 25th percentile | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Median | $47,600 | $22.89 |
| 75th percentile | $59,520 | $28.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| Average (mean) | $49,720 | $23.90 |
Half of firefighters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,966.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,983.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,830.77 |
| Weekly | $915.38 |
| Hourly | $22.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $58,400 | 450 |
| Birmingham, AL | $51,050 | 2,370 |
| Montgomery, AL | $48,780 | 540 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $48,770 | 530 |
| Huntsville, AL | $48,010 | 530 |
| Mobile, AL | $46,770 | 710 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $46,260 | 290 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $44,400 | 230 |
| Decatur, AL | $43,650 | 180 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $39,940 | 200 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $37,150 | 140 |
| Gadsden, AL | $36,700 | 180 |
| Dothan, AL | $36,610 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Security Guard | $33,720 | $16.21 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $66,290 | $31.87 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,130 | $13.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $86,350 | $41.51 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,340 | $17.95 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Alabama?
The median salary for firefighters in Alabama is $47,600 a year, or $22.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Alabama?
The top 10% of firefighters in Alabama earn at least $76,190 a year. The top 25% earn $59,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,770 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $37,150 or less.
How many firefighters work in Alabama?
About 7,260 firefighters are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.