Firefighter salary in Joplin, MO-KS
Firefighters in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $38,850 a year ($18.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,210 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 21% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $49,080. There are 1.7 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $43,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Joplin, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| 25th percentile | $34,110 | $16.40 |
| Median | $38,850 | $18.68 |
| 75th percentile | $47,330 | $22.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| Average (mean) | $43,180 | $20.76 |
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 | $3,237.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,618.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,494.23 |
| Weekly | $747.12 |
| Hourly | $18.68 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $68,970 | 2,680 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $60,770 | 3,000 |
| Topeka, KS | $57,570 | 220 |
| Manhattan, KS | $53,290 | 120 |
| Lawrence, KS | $51,930 | 70 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $47,030 | 140 |
| Springfield, MO | $44,990 | 370 |
| Wichita, KS | $41,900 | 790 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $38,220 | 130 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Joplin, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| Security Guard | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $71,630 | $34.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $52,670 | $25.32 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $49,200 | $23.65 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,470 | $15.61 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Joplin, MO-KS
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 Joplin, MO-KS?
The median salary for firefighters in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area is $38,850 a year, or $18.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Joplin, MO-KS?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn at least $64,210 a year. The top 25% earn $47,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Joplin, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,360 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $34,110 or less.
How many firefighters work in Joplin, MO-KS?
About 150 firefighters are employed in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.