Firefighter salary in Lincoln, NE
Firefighters in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $59,760 a year ($28.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,460 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 2% lower than the Nebraska statewide median of $61,040. There are 1.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $61,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| 25th percentile | $59,760 | $28.73 |
| Median | $59,760 | $28.73 |
| 75th percentile | $69,460 | $33.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,460 | $33.40 |
| Average (mean) | $61,180 | $29.41 |
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 | $4,980 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,490 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,298.46 |
| Weekly | $1,149.23 |
| Hourly | $28.73 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $61,040 | 660 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,030 | 110 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $66,210 | $31.83 |
| Security Guard | $36,700 | $17.64 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $93,680 | $45.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $117,860 | $56.66 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,100 | $14.47 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $86,530 | $41.60 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $99,760 | $47.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $53,800 | $25.86 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for firefighters in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $59,760 a year, or $28.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $69,460 a year. The top 25% earn $69,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,840 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $59,760 or less.
How many firefighters work in Lincoln, NE?
About 240 firefighters are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.