Firefighter salary in Nebraska
Firefighters in Nebraska earn a median of $61,040 a year ($29.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,460 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $59,280. Nebraska ranks 16th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 1.0 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $59,190, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| 25th percentile | $51,910 | $24.96 |
| Median | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| 75th percentile | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,460 | $33.40 |
| Average (mean) | $59,190 | $28.46 |
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 | $5,086.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,543.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,347.69 |
| Weekly | $1,173.85 |
| Hourly | $29.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Nebraska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $61,040 | 660 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,030 | 110 |
| Lincoln, NE | $59,760 | 240 |
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 Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $76,770 | $36.91 |
| Security Guard | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,620 | $35.88 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,100 | $51.01 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,750 | $16.71 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $80,490 | $38.70 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $100,530 | $48.33 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,990 | $18.26 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for firefighters in Nebraska is $61,040 a year, or $29.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of firefighters in Nebraska earn at least $69,460 a year. The top 25% earn $61,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,660 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $51,910 or less.
How many firefighters work in Nebraska?
About 1,070 firefighters are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.