Firefighter salary in Arizona
Firefighters in Arizona earn a median of $59,280 a year ($28.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,220 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $59,280. Arizona ranks 20th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,700 | $17.65 |
| 25th percentile | $46,750 | $22.48 |
| Median | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| 75th percentile | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,220 | $42.41 |
| Average (mean) | $60,850 | $29.26 |
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 | $4,940 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,470 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,280 |
| Weekly | $1,140 |
| Hourly | $28.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $61,780 | 4,020 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $54,810 | 500 |
| Yuma, AZ | $54,220 | 350 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $53,530 | 220 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $50,380 | 360 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $49,240 | 460 |
| Tucson, AZ | $47,960 | 830 |
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 Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $74,780 | $35.95 |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Security Guard | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,970 | $26.43 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,850 | $50.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,470 | $46.38 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,560 | $16.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,090 | $23.60 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for firefighters in Arizona is $59,280 a year, or $28.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Arizona?
The top 10% of firefighters in Arizona earn at least $88,220 a year. The top 25% earn $77,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,700 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $46,750 or less.
How many firefighters work in Arizona?
About 7,500 firefighters are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.