Firefighter salary in District of Columbia
Firefighters in District of Columbia earn a median of $75,870 a year ($36.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,760 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $59,280. District of Columbia ranks 7th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.1 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| 25th percentile | $65,090 | $31.30 |
| Median | $75,870 | $36.48 |
| 75th percentile | $92,110 | $44.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,760 | $47.96 |
| Average (mean) | $79,550 | $38.25 |
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 | $6,322.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,161.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,918.08 |
| Weekly | $1,459.04 |
| Hourly | $36.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Firefighter salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,980 | 7,610 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $160,760 | $77.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $134,760 | $64.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $83,710 | $40.24 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $40,800 | $19.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $126,560 | $60.85 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $60,400 | $29.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $97,640 | $46.94 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $88,570 | $42.58 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| School Bus Monitor | $41,720 | $20.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for firefighters in District of Columbia is $75,870 a year, or $36.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of firefighters in District of Columbia earn at least $99,760 a year. The top 25% earn $92,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,050 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $65,090 or less.
How many firefighters work in District of Columbia?
About 1,480 firefighters are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.