Firefighter salary in Kentucky
Firefighters in Kentucky earn a median of $37,150 a year ($17.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,720 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $59,280. Kentucky ranks 48th 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 $42,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| 25th percentile | $33,390 | $16.05 |
| Median | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| 75th percentile | $48,120 | $23.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Average (mean) | $42,100 | $20.24 |
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 | $3,095.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,547.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,428.85 |
| Weekly | $714.42 |
| Hourly | $17.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $58,570 | 3,380 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $54,950 | 300 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $45,160 | 1,640 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $36,490 | 940 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $36,060 | 230 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $35,240 | 250 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $34,030 | 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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $55,970 | $26.91 |
| Security Guard | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,520 | $13.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,390 | $38.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $60,850 | $29.26 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,260 | $24.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $62,780 | $30.18 |
| Bailiff | $30,760 | $14.79 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $71,670 | $34.46 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,580 | $22.39 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,450 | $16.56 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for firefighters in Kentucky is $37,150 a year, or $17.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of firefighters in Kentucky earn at least $60,720 a year. The top 25% earn $48,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,870 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $33,390 or less.
How many firefighters work in Kentucky?
About 5,150 firefighters are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.