Firefighter salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Firefighters in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $73,990 a year ($35.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,540 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 2% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $72,800. There are 3.1 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,700 | $23.90 |
| 25th percentile | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Median | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| 75th percentile | $81,110 | $39.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,540 | $56.99 |
| Average (mean) | $75,400 | $36.25 |
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 | $6,165.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,082.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,845.77 |
| Weekly | $1,422.88 |
| Hourly | $35.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $74,870 | 490 |
| Springfield, MA | $66,720 | 830 |
| Worcester, MA | $66,310 | 1,360 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $66,150 | 2,550 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $59,270 | 300 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $58,560 | 760 |
| 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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| Security Guard | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,180 | $37.59 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $89,060 | $42.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $108,190 | $52.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,740 | $46.51 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $76,130 | $36.60 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $110,150 | $52.96 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Bailiff | $79,570 | $38.26 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $52,170 | $25.08 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for firefighters in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $73,990 a year, or $35.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $118,540 a year. The top 25% earn $81,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,700 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $62,050 or less.
How many firefighters work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 8,510 firefighters are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.