Firefighter salary in Charleston, WV
Firefighters in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $38,780 a year ($18.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,610 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 4% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $37,350. There are 2.2 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,650 | $14.25 |
| 25th percentile | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Median | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| 75th percentile | $43,920 | $21.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Average (mean) | $39,710 | $19.09 |
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 | $3,231.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,615.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,491.54 |
| Weekly | $745.77 |
| Hourly | $18.64 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,980 | 7,610 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $49,690 | 230 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $48,070 | 110 |
| Beckley, WV | $41,770 | 80 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $41,140 | 210 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $36,060 | 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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Security Guard | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $57,460 | $27.62 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,390 | $15.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $77,780 | $37.39 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,480 | $12.25 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,850 | $19.16 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for firefighters in the Charleston, WV metro area is $38,780 a year, or $18.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $44,610 a year. The top 25% earn $43,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,650 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $36,680 or less.
How many firefighters work in Charleston, WV?
About 230 firefighters are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.