Firefighter salary in Massachusetts
Firefighters in Massachusetts earn a median of $72,800 a year ($35.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,940 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,130 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $59,280. Massachusetts ranks 11th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 3.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| 25th percentile | $61,800 | $29.71 |
| Median | $72,800 | $35.00 |
| 75th percentile | $80,070 | $38.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,130 | $47.18 |
| Average (mean) | $73,220 | $35.20 |
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 | $6,066.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,033.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,800 |
| Weekly | $1,400 |
| Hourly | $35.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $74,870 | 490 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $73,990 | 8,510 |
| Springfield, MA | $66,720 | 830 |
| Worcester, MA | $66,310 | 1,360 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $66,150 | 2,550 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $59,270 | 300 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $56,640 | 250 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $81,140 | $39.01 |
| Security Guard | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $86,310 | $41.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,320 | $50.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $110,150 | $52.96 |
| Bailiff | $86,730 | $41.70 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $50,040 | $24.06 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for firefighters in Massachusetts is $72,800 a year, or $35.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of firefighters in Massachusetts earn at least $98,130 a year. The top 25% earn $80,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,730 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $61,800 or less.
How many firefighters work in Massachusetts?
About 11,940 firefighters are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.