Firefighter salary in Idaho
Firefighters in Idaho earn a median of $47,320 a year ($22.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,190 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $59,280. Idaho ranks 36th 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 $54,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Idaho
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,280 | $14.56 |
| 25th percentile | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Median | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| 75th percentile | $76,280 | $36.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,190 | $39.04 |
| Average (mean) | $54,470 | $26.19 |
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 | $3,943.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,971.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,820 |
| Weekly | $910 |
| Hourly | $22.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Idaho
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | $76,280 | 740 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $60,930 | 280 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $58,920 | 80 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $58,820 | 200 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $44,440 | 80 |
| Pocatello, ID | $44,250 | 100 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $36,940 | 110 |
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 Idaho
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $47,050 | $22.62 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $72,810 | $35.01 |
| Security Guard | $38,300 | $18.41 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,580 | $25.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,920 | $45.64 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,770 | $13.83 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $72,520 | $34.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $92,630 | $44.53 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $40,060 | $19.26 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,230 | $15.49 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,910 | $23.03 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Idaho
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 Idaho?
The median salary for firefighters in Idaho is $47,320 a year, or $22.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Idaho?
The top 10% of firefighters in Idaho earn at least $81,190 a year. The top 25% earn $76,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Idaho?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,280 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $35,380 or less.
How many firefighters work in Idaho?
About 2,240 firefighters are employed in Idaho, not counting the self-employed.