Firefighter salary in Birmingham, AL
Firefighters in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $51,050 a year ($24.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,560 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 7% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $47,600. There are 4.6 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| 25th percentile | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| Median | $51,050 | $24.55 |
| 75th percentile | $64,900 | $31.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,560 | $37.29 |
| Average (mean) | $54,420 | $26.16 |
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 | $4,254.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,127.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,963.46 |
| Weekly | $981.73 |
| Hourly | $24.55 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $58,400 | 450 |
| 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 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $57,570 | $27.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,790 | $45.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Bailiff | $46,930 | $22.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $86,350 | $41.51 |
| Animal Control Worker | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $80,790 | $38.84 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for firefighters in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $51,050 a year, or $24.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $77,560 a year. The top 25% earn $64,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,860 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $39,340 or less.
How many firefighters work in Birmingham, AL?
About 2,370 firefighters are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.