Firefighter salary in Minnesota
Firefighters in Minnesota earn a median of $38,110 a year ($18.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,380 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $59,280. Minnesota ranks 45th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.0 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $45,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,510 | $13.23 |
| 25th percentile | $31,110 | $14.96 |
| Median | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| 75th percentile | $59,350 | $28.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Average (mean) | $45,170 | $21.72 |
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 | $3,175.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,587.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,465.77 |
| Weekly | $732.88 |
| Hourly | $18.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $68,060 | 180 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $53,130 | 270 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $50,840 | 190 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $39,350 | 3,980 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $38,900 | 250 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $37,410 | 380 |
| Rochester, MN | $35,200 | 230 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,190 | 120 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $33,820 | 210 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $84,410 | $40.58 |
| Security Guard | $43,380 | $20.86 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $83,360 | $40.08 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $118,750 | $57.09 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,870 | $15.32 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $80,000 | $38.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $78,800 | $37.89 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,590 | $18.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,290 | $32.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $57,880 | $27.83 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for firefighters in Minnesota is $38,110 a year, or $18.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of firefighters in Minnesota earn at least $70,380 a year. The top 25% earn $59,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,510 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $31,110 or less.
How many firefighters work in Minnesota?
About 5,810 firefighters are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.