Firefighter salary in Louisiana
Firefighters in Louisiana earn a median of $33,120 a year ($15.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,670 for the top 10%. That is 44% lower than the national median of $59,280. Louisiana ranks 50th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.7 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,510 | $10.82 |
| 25th percentile | $27,510 | $13.23 |
| Median | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| 75th percentile | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,670 | $27.25 |
| Average (mean) | $36,610 | $17.60 |
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 | $2,760 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,380 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,273.85 |
| Weekly | $636.92 |
| Hourly | $15.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $38,010 | 290 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $37,620 | 700 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $37,250 | 1,110 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $33,260 | 1,060 |
| Lafayette, LA | $30,100 | 220 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $29,550 | 240 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $29,500 | 390 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $28,360 | 170 |
| Hammond, LA | $28,330 | 170 |
| Monroe, LA | $22,800 | 280 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $75,480 | $36.29 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $64,820 | $31.16 |
| Security Guard | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $70,470 | $33.88 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $60,450 | $29.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| School Bus Monitor | $25,250 | $12.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $22,240 | $10.69 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for firefighters in Louisiana is $33,120 a year, or $15.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of firefighters in Louisiana earn at least $56,670 a year. The top 25% earn $44,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,510 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $27,510 or less.
How many firefighters work in Louisiana?
About 5,230 firefighters are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.