Firefighter salary in Kansas
Firefighters in Kansas earn a median of $45,900 a year ($22.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,110 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $59,280. Kansas ranks 41st of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,810 | $15.77 |
| 25th percentile | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Median | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| 75th percentile | $57,950 | $27.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Average (mean) | $49,110 | $23.61 |
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 | $3,825 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,912.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,765.38 |
| Weekly | $882.69 |
| Hourly | $22.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $60,770 | 3,000 |
| Topeka, KS | $57,570 | 220 |
| Manhattan, KS | $53,290 | 120 |
| Lawrence, KS | $51,930 | 70 |
| Wichita, KS | $41,900 | 790 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $38,850 | 150 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,230 | $28.48 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $56,120 | $26.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $82,950 | $39.88 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,220 | $13.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $78,880 | $37.92 |
| School Bus Monitor | $29,420 | $14.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $75,740 | $36.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,960 | $27.87 |
| Bailiff | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,150 | $20.26 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $45,260 | $21.76 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for firefighters in Kansas is $45,900 a year, or $22.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Kansas?
The top 10% of firefighters in Kansas earn at least $76,110 a year. The top 25% earn $57,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,810 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $37,440 or less.
How many firefighters work in Kansas?
About 3,360 firefighters are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.