Firefighter salary in Georgia
Firefighters in Georgia earn a median of $46,550 a year ($22.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,700 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,510 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $59,280. Georgia ranks 39th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.6 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,000 | $15.87 |
| 25th percentile | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Median | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| 75th percentile | $55,390 | $26.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,510 | $29.57 |
| Average (mean) | $47,170 | $22.68 |
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 | $3,879.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,939.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,790.38 |
| Weekly | $895.19 |
| Hourly | $22.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | $50,470 | 720 |
| Hinesville, GA | $49,210 | 150 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $48,770 | 530 |
| Dalton, GA | $48,110 | 180 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $47,540 | 510 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $47,300 | 6,350 |
| Gainesville, GA | $46,870 | 450 |
| Albany, GA | $46,540 | 210 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,060 | 560 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $45,660 | 450 |
| Rome, GA | $44,780 | 100 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $40,330 | 270 |
| Valdosta, GA | $34,600 | 190 |
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 Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Security Guard | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $47,520 | $22.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,120 | $38.52 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $65,430 | $31.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $67,200 | $32.31 |
| School Bus Monitor | $30,130 | $14.48 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $66,770 | $32.10 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Georgia
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 Georgia?
The median salary for firefighters in Georgia is $46,550 a year, or $22.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Georgia?
The top 10% of firefighters in Georgia earn at least $61,510 a year. The top 25% earn $55,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,000 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $37,100 or less.
How many firefighters work in Georgia?
About 12,700 firefighters are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.