Firefighter salary in Boulder, CO
Firefighters in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $79,390 a year ($38.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,200 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 7% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $74,170. There are 1.9 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| 25th percentile | $67,130 | $32.27 |
| Median | $79,390 | $38.17 |
| 75th percentile | $102,580 | $49.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,200 | $51.54 |
| Average (mean) | $81,950 | $39.40 |
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 | $6,615.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,307.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,053.46 |
| Weekly | $1,526.73 |
| Hourly | $38.17 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $99,930 | 300 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $87,980 | 3,010 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $70,190 | 220 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $63,110 | 760 |
| Greeley, CO | $62,640 | 480 |
| Pueblo, CO | $61,560 | 170 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| Security Guard | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,060 | $48.11 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $121,000 | $58.17 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $132,360 | $63.63 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $103,360 | $49.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,340 | $26.13 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for firefighters in the Boulder, CO metro area is $79,390 a year, or $38.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $107,200 a year. The top 25% earn $102,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,730 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $67,130 or less.
How many firefighters work in Boulder, CO?
About 360 firefighters are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.