Firefighter salary in Reading, PA
Firefighters in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $74,760 a year ($35.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,340 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 2% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $73,460. There are 0.91 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $65,660, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,870 | $22.53 |
| 25th percentile | $53,720 | $25.83 |
| Median | $74,760 | $35.94 |
| 75th percentile | $76,340 | $36.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,340 | $36.70 |
| Average (mean) | $65,660 | $31.57 |
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 | $6,230 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,115 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,875.38 |
| Weekly | $1,437.69 |
| Hourly | $35.94 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | $80,280 | 140 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $78,050 | 3,970 |
| 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 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $87,060 | $41.85 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $27,920 | $13.42 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,980 | $51.43 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,140 | $17.37 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $95,190 | $45.76 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,050 | $13.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,650 | $25.79 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $50,200 | $24.13 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $43,410 | $20.87 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Reading, PA metro area is $74,760 a year, or $35.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $76,340 a year. The top 25% earn $76,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,870 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $53,720 or less.
How many firefighters work in Reading, PA?
About 160 firefighters are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.