Firefighter salary in Bowling Green, KY
Firefighters in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn a median of $35,240 a year ($16.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,600 for the top 10%. That is 41% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 5% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $37,150. There are 3.0 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Bowling Green, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,250 | $15.51 |
| 25th percentile | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| Median | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| 75th percentile | $46,850 | $22.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Average (mean) | $47,720 | $22.94 |
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 | $2,936.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,468.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,355.38 |
| Weekly | $677.69 |
| Hourly | $16.94 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $58,570 | 3,380 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $54,950 | 300 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $45,160 | 1,640 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $36,490 | 940 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $36,060 | 230 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $34,030 | 130 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bowling Green, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,550 | $29.11 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $41,100 | $19.76 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $23,430 | $11.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,360 | $38.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $48,690 | $23.41 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Bowling Green, KY
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 Bowling Green, KY?
The median salary for firefighters in the Bowling Green, KY metro area is $35,240 a year, or $16.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Bowling Green, KY?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn at least $93,600 a year. The top 25% earn $46,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Bowling Green, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,250 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $35,240 or less.
How many firefighters work in Bowling Green, KY?
About 250 firefighters are employed in the Bowling Green, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.