Firefighter salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Firefighters in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $62,730 a year ($30.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,520 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,390 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 15% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $54,640. There are 1.8 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,940, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,120 | $19.77 |
| 25th percentile | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| Median | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| 75th percentile | $73,430 | $35.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,390 | $40.57 |
| Average (mean) | $61,940 | $29.78 |
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 | $5,227.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,613.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,412.69 |
| Weekly | $1,206.35 |
| Hourly | $30.16 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $57,540 | 410 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $56,450 | 440 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $56,260 | 420 |
| Midland, MI | $52,800 | 60 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $52,200 | 120 |
| Niles, MI | $50,600 | 110 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $48,460 | 160 |
| Jackson, MI | $47,690 | 100 |
| Traverse City, MI | $46,990 | 140 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $45,480 | 60 |
| Monroe, MI | $44,730 | 70 |
| Saginaw, MI | $44,550 | 80 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $41,580 | 140 |
| Flint, MI | $39,150 | 180 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Security Guard | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $67,920 | $32.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,140 | $47.19 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $95,820 | $46.07 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $86,490 | $41.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $56,570 | $27.20 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $69,640 | $33.48 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,240 | $17.43 |
| Bailiff | $55,750 | $26.81 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,690 | $22.93 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for firefighters in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $62,730 a year, or $30.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $84,390 a year. The top 25% earn $73,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,120 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $50,800 or less.
How many firefighters work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 3,520 firefighters are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.