Firefighter salary in North Dakota
Firefighters in North Dakota earn a median of $55,080 a year ($26.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,530 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $59,280. North Dakota ranks 27th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 1.9 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,700 | $19.09 |
| 25th percentile | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Median | $55,080 | $26.48 |
| 75th percentile | $71,930 | $34.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,530 | $37.27 |
| Average (mean) | $57,980 | $27.88 |
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 | $4,590 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,295 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,118.46 |
| Weekly | $1,059.23 |
| Hourly | $26.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $68,060 | 180 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $53,130 | 270 |
| Minot, ND | $49,060 | 80 |
| Bismarck, ND | $47,440 | 140 |
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 North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $80,320 | $38.61 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Security Guard | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,460 | $25.22 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $82,290 | $39.56 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $53,460 | $25.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| Bailiff | $27,560 | $13.25 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| School Bus Monitor | $38,480 | $18.50 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
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 North Dakota?
The median salary for firefighters in North Dakota is $55,080 a year, or $26.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of firefighters in North Dakota earn at least $77,530 a year. The top 25% earn $71,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,700 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $47,590 or less.
How many firefighters work in North Dakota?
About 820 firefighters are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.