Firefighter salary in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
Firefighters in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area earn a median of $59,270 a year ($28.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,840 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 19% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $72,800. There are 4.6 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,480, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,340 | $18.43 |
| 25th percentile | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Median | $59,270 | $28.49 |
| 75th percentile | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,840 | $34.06 |
| Average (mean) | $56,480 | $27.15 |
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 | $4,939.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,469.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,279.62 |
| Weekly | $1,139.81 |
| Hourly | $28.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $74,870 | 490 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $73,990 | 8,510 |
| Springfield, MA | $66,720 | 830 |
| Worcester, MA | $66,310 | 1,360 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $66,150 | 2,550 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $56,640 | 250 |
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 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,480 | $35.33 |
| Security Guard | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,790 | $40.28 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,980 | $17.30 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA
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 Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area is $59,270 a year, or $28.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area earn at least $70,840 a year. The top 25% earn $61,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,340 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $47,380 or less.
How many firefighters work in Amherst Town-Northampton, MA?
About 300 firefighters are employed in the Amherst Town-Northampton, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.