Firefighter salary in Delaware
Firefighters in Delaware earn a median of $46,710 a year ($22.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,160 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $59,280. Delaware ranks 38th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 1.2 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.52). The average (mean) salary is $53,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Delaware
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,960 | $20.17 |
| 25th percentile | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Median | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| 75th percentile | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,160 | $34.69 |
| Average (mean) | $53,420 | $25.68 |
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 | $3,892.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,946.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,796.54 |
| Weekly | $898.27 |
| Hourly | $22.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Delaware
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $78,050 | 3,970 |
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 Delaware
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $92,970 | $44.70 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,880 | $31.67 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $131,080 | $63.02 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,930 | $15.35 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $84,760 | $40.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,840 | $30.21 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $122,050 | $58.68 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $40,360 | $19.40 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $38,910 | $18.71 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Delaware
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 Delaware?
The median salary for firefighters in Delaware is $46,710 a year, or $22.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Delaware?
The top 10% of firefighters in Delaware earn at least $72,160 a year. The top 25% earn $60,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Delaware?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,960 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $45,300 or less.
How many firefighters work in Delaware?
About 560 firefighters are employed in Delaware, not counting the self-employed.