Firefighter salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Firefighters in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $61,040 a year ($29.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,730 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is about the same as the Nebraska statewide median of $61,040. There are 1.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $60,060, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| 25th percentile | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| Median | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| 75th percentile | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Average (mean) | $60,060 | $28.87 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | $86,010 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,370 | 170 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $61,190 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,080 | 410 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,030 | 110 |
| Lincoln, NE | $59,760 | 240 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $56,910 | 730 |
| Iowa City, IA | $50,600 | 90 |
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 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $42,370 | $20.37 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $80,280 | $38.60 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,100 | $51.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $73,540 | $35.36 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $105,310 | $50.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $90,850 | $43.68 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $77,150 | $37.09 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $48,530 | $23.33 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Omaha, NE-IA
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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $61,040 a year, or $29.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $78,730 a year. The top 25% earn $61,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,660 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $54,080 or less.
How many firefighters work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 660 firefighters are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.