Firefighter salary in Mississippi
Firefighters in Mississippi earn a median of $35,880 a year ($17.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,920 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,310 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $59,280. Mississippi ranks 49th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.5 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Mississippi
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| 25th percentile | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| Median | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| 75th percentile | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Average (mean) | $37,230 | $17.90 |
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 | $2,990 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,495 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,380 |
| Weekly | $690 |
| Hourly | $17.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Mississippi
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $62,910 | 1,660 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $41,760 | 730 |
| Jackson, MS | $34,970 | 530 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $30,830 | 130 |
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 Mississippi
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $55,260 | $26.57 |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| Security Guard | $29,180 | $14.03 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $38,720 | $18.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| School Bus Monitor | $23,500 | $11.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $56,470 | $27.15 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,440 | $11.75 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $35,360 | $17.00 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
The median salary for firefighters in Mississippi is $35,880 a year, or $17.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Mississippi?
The top 10% of firefighters in Mississippi earn at least $51,310 a year. The top 25% earn $44,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Mississippi?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,850 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $29,430 or less.
How many firefighters work in Mississippi?
About 2,920 firefighters are employed in Mississippi, not counting the self-employed.