Firefighter salary in Charlottesville, VA
Firefighters in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $46,860 a year ($22.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,520 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 20% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $58,670. There are 2.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,140, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,520 | $12.75 |
| 25th percentile | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Median | $46,860 | $22.53 |
| 75th percentile | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,520 | $29.09 |
| Average (mean) | $44,140 | $21.22 |
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 | $3,905 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,952.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,802.31 |
| Weekly | $901.15 |
| Hourly | $22.53 |
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 |
| Richmond, VA | $60,790 | 2,020 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $56,940 | 2,880 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $49,410 | 80 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $45,450 | 260 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,110 | 270 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $43,900 | 180 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,310 | 540 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $38,380 | 60 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Security Guard | $42,170 | $20.28 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,700 | $25.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,220 | $45.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $69,680 | $33.50 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $93,160 | $44.79 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,800 | $14.33 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, VA
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 Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $46,860 a year, or $22.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $60,520 a year. The top 25% earn $50,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,520 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $29,540 or less.
How many firefighters work in Charlottesville, VA?
About 260 firefighters are employed in the Charlottesville, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.