Firefighter salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Firefighters in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $53,130 a year ($25.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,860 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 4% lower than the North Dakota statewide median of $55,080. There are 1.8 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,460 | $16.09 |
| 25th percentile | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Median | $53,130 | $25.54 |
| 75th percentile | $61,080 | $29.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,860 | $35.51 |
| Average (mean) | $53,180 | $25.57 |
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 | $4,427.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,213.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,043.46 |
| Weekly | $1,021.73 |
| Hourly | $25.54 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $68,060 | 180 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $50,840 | 190 |
| Minot, ND | $49,060 | 80 |
| Bismarck, ND | $47,440 | 140 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $39,350 | 3,980 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $38,900 | 250 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $37,410 | 380 |
| Rochester, MN | $35,200 | 230 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,190 | 120 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $33,820 | 210 |
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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,180 | $36.62 |
| Security Guard | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,230 | $26.07 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,830 | $14.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $85,300 | $41.01 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $92,860 | $44.65 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| School Bus Monitor | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $92,860 | $44.64 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Fargo, ND-MN
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for firefighters in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $53,130 a year, or $25.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $73,860 a year. The top 25% earn $61,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,460 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $46,140 or less.
How many firefighters work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 270 firefighters are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.