Firefighter salary in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
Firefighters in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn a median of $45,480 a year ($21.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,270 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 17% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $54,640. There are 0.53 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.24). The average (mean) salary is $45,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 25th percentile | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| Median | $45,480 | $21.86 |
| 75th percentile | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,270 | $28.01 |
| Average (mean) | $45,910 | $22.07 |
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 | $3,790 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,895 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,749.23 |
| Weekly | $874.62 |
| Hourly | $21.86 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $62,730 | 3,520 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $57,540 | 410 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $56,450 | 440 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $56,260 | 420 |
| Midland, MI | $52,800 | 60 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $52,200 | 120 |
| Niles, MI | $50,600 | 110 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $48,460 | 160 |
| Jackson, MI | $47,690 | 100 |
| Traverse City, MI | $46,990 | 140 |
| Monroe, MI | $44,730 | 70 |
| Saginaw, MI | $44,550 | 80 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $41,580 | 140 |
| Flint, MI | $39,150 | 180 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,810 | $35.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,530 | $45.45 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,380 | $13.17 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,310 | $16.50 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $84,800 | $40.77 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI
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 Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The median salary for firefighters in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area is $45,480 a year, or $21.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area earn at least $58,270 a year. The top 25% earn $48,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,380 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $38,800 or less.
How many firefighters work in Kalamazoo-Portage, MI?
About 60 firefighters are employed in the Kalamazoo-Portage, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.