Firefighter salary in Missouri
Firefighters in Missouri earn a median of $49,080 a year ($23.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,360 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $59,280. Missouri ranks 31st of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.2 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,140 | $14.97 |
| 25th percentile | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Median | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| 75th percentile | $64,170 | $30.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,360 | $38.15 |
| Average (mean) | $55,240 | $26.56 |
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 | $4,090 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,045 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,887.69 |
| Weekly | $943.85 |
| Hourly | $23.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $68,970 | 2,680 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $60,770 | 3,000 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $47,030 | 140 |
| Springfield, MO | $44,990 | 370 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $38,850 | 150 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $38,220 | 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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Security Guard | $40,390 | $19.42 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $42,620 | $20.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,440 | $45.41 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $75,650 | $36.37 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $58,200 | $27.98 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Animal Control Worker | $41,760 | $20.08 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for firefighters in Missouri is $49,080 a year, or $23.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Missouri?
The top 10% of firefighters in Missouri earn at least $79,360 a year. The top 25% earn $64,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,140 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $37,340 or less.
How many firefighters work in Missouri?
About 6,580 firefighters are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.