Firefighter salary in Lawrence, KS
Firefighters in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn a median of $51,930 a year ($24.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,700 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 13% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $45,900. There are 1.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $52,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Lawrence, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,110 | $16.40 |
| 25th percentile | $38,910 | $18.71 |
| Median | $51,930 | $24.97 |
| 75th percentile | $63,720 | $30.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,700 | $33.99 |
| Average (mean) | $52,370 | $25.18 |
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 | $4,327.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,163.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,997.31 |
| Weekly | $998.65 |
| Hourly | $24.97 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $60,770 | 3,000 |
| Topeka, KS | $57,570 | 220 |
| Manhattan, KS | $53,290 | 120 |
| 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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lawrence, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Security Guard | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,210 | $49.14 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $128,760 | $61.90 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $93,020 | $44.72 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lawrence, 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 Lawrence, KS?
The median salary for firefighters in the Lawrence, KS metro area is $51,930 a year, or $24.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Lawrence, KS?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Lawrence, KS metro area earn at least $70,700 a year. The top 25% earn $63,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Lawrence, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,110 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $38,910 or less.
How many firefighters work in Lawrence, KS?
About 70 firefighters are employed in the Lawrence, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.