Firefighter salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Firefighters in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $60,770 a year ($29.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,220 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 24% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $49,080. There are 2.7 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,560, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,740 | $18.63 |
| 25th percentile | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Median | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| 75th percentile | $64,170 | $30.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,220 | $40.49 |
| Average (mean) | $59,560 | $28.64 |
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 | $5,064.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,532.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,337.31 |
| Weekly | $1,168.65 |
| Hourly | $29.22 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| Security Guard | $41,810 | $20.10 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,830 | $47.04 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $51,390 | $24.71 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $90,640 | $43.58 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,490 | $43.99 |
| School Bus Monitor | $31,500 | $15.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,800 | $27.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $69,780 | $33.55 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| Bailiff | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Animal Control Worker | $44,310 | $21.31 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, 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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for firefighters in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $60,770 a year, or $29.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $84,220 a year. The top 25% earn $64,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,740 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $46,490 or less.
How many firefighters work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 3,000 firefighters are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.