Firefighter salary in Colorado
Firefighters in Colorado earn a median of $74,170 a year ($35.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,170 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $59,280. Colorado ranks 8th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,000 | $22.60 |
| 25th percentile | $60,970 | $29.31 |
| Median | $74,170 | $35.66 |
| 75th percentile | $101,260 | $48.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,170 | $54.89 |
| Average (mean) | $78,380 | $37.68 |
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 | $6,180.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,090.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,852.69 |
| Weekly | $1,426.35 |
| Hourly | $35.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $99,930 | 300 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $87,980 | 3,010 |
| Boulder, CO | $79,390 | 360 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $85,750 | $41.23 |
| Security Guard | $45,150 | $21.71 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $97,350 | $46.81 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $126,810 | $60.97 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $105,480 | $50.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $102,580 | $49.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,680 | $26.29 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,530 | $34.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $65,490 | $31.49 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for firefighters in Colorado is $74,170 a year, or $35.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Colorado?
The top 10% of firefighters in Colorado earn at least $114,170 a year. The top 25% earn $101,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,000 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $60,970 or less.
How many firefighters work in Colorado?
About 6,510 firefighters are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.