Firefighter salary in Decatur, IL
Firefighters in the Decatur, IL metro area earn a median of $62,430 a year ($30.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,400 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 20% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $78,380. There are 2.5 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,750, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Decatur, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,930 | $19.68 |
| 25th percentile | $54,650 | $26.28 |
| Median | $62,430 | $30.02 |
| 75th percentile | $73,400 | $35.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,400 | $35.29 |
| Average (mean) | $61,750 | $29.69 |
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 | $5,202.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,601.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,401.15 |
| Weekly | $1,200.58 |
| Hourly | $30.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $82,820 | 14,560 |
| Rockford, IL | $77,150 | 410 |
| Peoria, IL | $73,670 | 490 |
| Bloomington, IL | $69,270 | 170 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $68,970 | 2,680 |
| Springfield, IL | $65,330 | 240 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $62,190 | 340 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,080 | 410 |
| Kankakee, IL | $59,850 | 120 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Decatur, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $81,800 | $39.33 |
| Security Guard | $41,220 | $19.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $81,470 | $39.17 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Decatur, IL
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 Decatur, IL?
The median salary for firefighters in the Decatur, IL metro area is $62,430 a year, or $30.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Decatur, IL?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Decatur, IL metro area earn at least $73,400 a year. The top 25% earn $73,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Decatur, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,930 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $54,650 or less.
How many firefighters work in Decatur, IL?
About 120 firefighters are employed in the Decatur, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.