Firefighter salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Firefighters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $49,760 a year ($23.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,320 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 6% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $46,850. There are 2.6 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| 25th percentile | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| Median | $49,760 | $23.92 |
| 75th percentile | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,320 | $38.61 |
| Average (mean) | $54,000 | $25.96 |
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 | $4,146.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,073.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,913.85 |
| Weekly | $956.92 |
| Hourly | $23.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan, WI | $79,620 | 80 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $66,000 | 190 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $63,590 | 260 |
| Madison, WI | $56,430 | 1,230 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $51,520 | 300 |
| Green Bay, WI | $47,980 | 590 |
| Kenosha, WI | $46,850 | 280 |
| Wausau, WI | $46,820 | 260 |
| Appleton, WI | $46,800 | 320 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $45,110 | 120 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $39,350 | 3,980 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $38,900 | 250 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $37,410 | 380 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $36,030 | 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 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $82,090 | $39.47 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,910 | $44.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $80,960 | $38.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,270 | $26.57 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,850 | $15.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $77,310 | $37.17 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,850 | $20.12 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $49,060 | $23.59 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for firefighters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $49,760 a year, or $23.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $80,320 a year. The top 25% earn $64,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,920 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $38,320 or less.
How many firefighters work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 2,130 firefighters are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.