Firefighter salary in Connecticut
Firefighters in Connecticut earn a median of $77,630 a year ($37.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,500 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $59,280. Connecticut ranks 6th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 1.8 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $73,760, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,320 | $24.67 |
| 25th percentile | $64,180 | $30.86 |
| Median | $77,630 | $37.32 |
| 75th percentile | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,500 | $41.11 |
| Average (mean) | $73,760 | $35.46 |
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 | $6,469.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,234.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,985.77 |
| Weekly | $1,492.88 |
| Hourly | $37.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $81,680 | 840 |
| New Haven, CT | $79,380 | 570 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $77,630 | 230 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $75,990 | 930 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $62,850 | 340 |
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 Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| Security Guard | $39,920 | $19.19 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $82,170 | $39.51 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $64,750 | $31.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $109,360 | $52.58 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,350 | $16.99 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $98,500 | $47.36 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $95,240 | $45.79 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $89,160 | $42.86 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $75,010 | $36.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Connecticut
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 Connecticut?
The median salary for firefighters in Connecticut is $77,630 a year, or $37.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of firefighters in Connecticut earn at least $85,500 a year. The top 25% earn $81,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,320 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $64,180 or less.
How many firefighters work in Connecticut?
About 2,970 firefighters are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.