Firefighter salary in Michigan
Firefighters in Michigan earn a median of $54,640 a year ($26.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,550 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $59,280. Michigan ranks 28th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 1.5 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $56,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| 25th percentile | $43,560 | $20.94 |
| Median | $54,640 | $26.27 |
| 75th percentile | $67,440 | $32.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,550 | $37.76 |
| Average (mean) | $56,250 | $27.04 |
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 | $4,553.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,276.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,101.54 |
| Weekly | $1,050.77 |
| Hourly | $26.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $62,730 | 3,520 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $57,540 | 410 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $56,450 | 440 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $56,260 | 420 |
| Midland, MI | $52,800 | 60 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $52,200 | 120 |
| Niles, MI | $50,600 | 110 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $48,460 | 160 |
| Jackson, MI | $47,690 | 100 |
| Traverse City, MI | $46,990 | 140 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $45,480 | 60 |
| Monroe, MI | $44,730 | 70 |
| Saginaw, MI | $44,550 | 80 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $41,580 | 140 |
| Flint, MI | $39,150 | 180 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Security Guard | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,730 | $35.45 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,760 | $14.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,140 | $47.19 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $90,650 | $43.58 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,480 | $15.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,550 | $37.29 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,390 | $32.40 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $78,150 | $37.57 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $48,650 | $23.39 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for firefighters in Michigan is $54,640 a year, or $26.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Michigan?
The top 10% of firefighters in Michigan earn at least $78,550 a year. The top 25% earn $67,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,190 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $43,560 or less.
How many firefighters work in Michigan?
About 6,610 firefighters are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.