Firefighter salary in Maine
Firefighters in Maine earn a median of $48,290 a year ($23.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,480 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,740 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $59,280. Maine ranks 33rd of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 3.9 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Maine
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| 25th percentile | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| Median | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| 75th percentile | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,740 | $30.64 |
| Average (mean) | $50,230 | $24.15 |
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 | $4,024.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,012.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,857.31 |
| Weekly | $928.65 |
| Hourly | $23.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Maine
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $52,930 | 190 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $49,320 | 1,340 |
| Bangor, ME | $48,020 | 310 |
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 Maine
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $68,310 | $32.84 |
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Security Guard | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $40,140 | $19.30 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,730 | $25.35 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $88,310 | $42.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $92,350 | $44.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $74,790 | $35.96 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $43,830 | $21.07 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $73,260 | $35.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,940 | $24.01 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Maine
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 Maine?
The median salary for firefighters in Maine is $48,290 a year, or $23.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Maine?
The top 10% of firefighters in Maine earn at least $63,740 a year. The top 25% earn $59,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Maine?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,740 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $43,420 or less.
How many firefighters work in Maine?
About 2,480 firefighters are employed in Maine, not counting the self-employed.