Firefighter salary in Puerto Rico
Firefighters in Puerto Rico earn a median of $37,120 a year ($17.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,130 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $59,280. There are 1.9 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Puerto Rico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,000 | $15.39 |
| 25th percentile | $32,000 | $15.39 |
| Median | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| 75th percentile | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Average (mean) | $38,280 | $18.40 |
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 | $3,093.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,546.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,427.69 |
| Weekly | $713.85 |
| Hourly | $17.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Puerto Rico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $37,120 | 1,770 |
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 Puerto Rico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $50,300 | $24.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $22,640 | $10.89 |
| Bailiff | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $26,680 | $12.83 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $70,760 | $34.02 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $22,950 | $11.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $48,640 | $23.39 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $42,190 | $20.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Puerto Rico
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 Puerto Rico?
The median salary for firefighters in Puerto Rico is $37,120 a year, or $17.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Puerto Rico?
The top 10% of firefighters in Puerto Rico earn at least $44,130 a year. The top 25% earn $42,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Puerto Rico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,000 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $32,000 or less.
How many firefighters work in Puerto Rico?
About 1,780 firefighters are employed in Puerto Rico, not counting the self-employed.