Firefighter salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Firefighters in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $73,810 a year ($35.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,210 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is about the same as the Maryland statewide median of $73,810. There are 1.8 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,660, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,500 | $23.32 |
| 25th percentile | $57,470 | $27.63 |
| Median | $73,810 | $35.49 |
| 75th percentile | $97,520 | $46.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,210 | $47.22 |
| Average (mean) | $73,660 | $35.41 |
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 | $6,150.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,075.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,838.85 |
| Weekly | $1,419.42 |
| Hourly | $35.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $78,050 | 3,970 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,980 | 7,610 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $49,690 | 230 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $98,730 | $47.46 |
| Security Guard | $36,970 | $17.78 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,530 | $36.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $124,660 | $59.93 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,080 | $16.39 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $110,060 | $52.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $79,150 | $38.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,590 | $18.55 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $72,240 | $34.73 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $128,440 | $61.75 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $52,780 | $25.38 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for firefighters in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $73,810 a year, or $35.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $98,210 a year. The top 25% earn $97,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,500 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $57,470 or less.
How many firefighters work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 2,510 firefighters are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.