Firefighter salary in Harrisonburg, VA
Firefighters in the Harrisonburg, VA metro area earn a median of $43,900 a year ($21.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,500 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 25% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $58,670. There are 2.7 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,290, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Harrisonburg, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,240 | $17.43 |
| 25th percentile | $36,240 | $17.43 |
| Median | $43,900 | $21.10 |
| 75th percentile | $45,780 | $22.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,500 | $27.16 |
| Average (mean) | $42,290 | $20.33 |
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 | $3,658.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,829.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,688.46 |
| Weekly | $844.23 |
| Hourly | $21.10 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,980 | 7,610 |
| Richmond, VA | $60,790 | 2,020 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $56,940 | 2,880 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $49,410 | 80 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $46,860 | 260 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $45,450 | 260 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,110 | 270 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,310 | 540 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $38,380 | 60 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Harrisonburg, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,260 | $28.01 |
| Security Guard | $37,160 | $17.86 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,950 | $24.50 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,980 | $15.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $63,550 | $30.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $81,440 | $39.15 |
| School Bus Monitor | $37,660 | $18.11 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Harrisonburg, VA
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 Harrisonburg, VA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Harrisonburg, VA metro area is $43,900 a year, or $21.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Harrisonburg, VA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Harrisonburg, VA metro area earn at least $56,500 a year. The top 25% earn $45,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Harrisonburg, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,240 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $36,240 or less.
How many firefighters work in Harrisonburg, VA?
About 180 firefighters are employed in the Harrisonburg, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.