Firefighter salary in Pennsylvania
Firefighters in Pennsylvania earn a median of $73,460 a year ($35.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,190 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pennsylvania ranks 10th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 0.83 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $71,340, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| 25th percentile | $56,210 | $27.03 |
| Median | $73,460 | $35.32 |
| 75th percentile | $89,190 | $42.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,190 | $42.88 |
| Average (mean) | $71,340 | $34.30 |
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 | $6,121.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,060.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,825.38 |
| Weekly | $1,412.69 |
| Hourly | $35.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | $80,280 | 140 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $78,050 | 3,970 |
| Reading, PA | $74,760 | 160 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $73,020 | 300 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $72,230 | 950 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $67,570 | 110 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $62,760 | 140 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $60,410 | 190 |
| Lebanon, PA | $60,320 | 40 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,050 | 70 |
| Lancaster, PA | $54,890 | 110 |
| Johnstown, PA | $51,050 | 50 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $59,080 | $28.41 |
| Security Guard | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,480 | $14.17 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $97,580 | $46.91 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $94,600 | $45.48 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $67,330 | $32.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $101,050 | $48.58 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for firefighters in Pennsylvania is $73,460 a year, or $35.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of firefighters in Pennsylvania earn at least $89,190 a year. The top 25% earn $89,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,620 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $56,210 or less.
How many firefighters work in Pennsylvania?
About 5,020 firefighters are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.