Firefighter salary in Arkansas
Firefighters in Arkansas earn a median of $39,690 a year ($19.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,860 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $59,280. Arkansas ranks 44th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 1.9 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,680 | $13.79 |
| 25th percentile | $33,560 | $16.13 |
| Median | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| 75th percentile | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Average (mean) | $43,380 | $20.85 |
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 | $3,307.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,653.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,526.54 |
| Weekly | $763.27 |
| Hourly | $19.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $62,910 | 1,660 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $49,940 | 180 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $48,110 | 760 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $38,570 | 660 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $35,990 | 150 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $34,630 | 50 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $31,440 | 90 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $43,310 | $20.82 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Security Guard | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $62,290 | $29.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,000 | $25.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,000 | $12.98 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,750 | $22.96 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for firefighters in Arkansas is $39,690 a year, or $19.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of firefighters in Arkansas earn at least $60,860 a year. The top 25% earn $52,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,680 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $33,560 or less.
How many firefighters work in Arkansas?
About 2,480 firefighters are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.