Firefighter salary in Rhode Island
Firefighters in Rhode Island earn a median of $67,380 a year ($32.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,620 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,620 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $59,280. Rhode Island ranks 13th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 3.2 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,110 | $26.98 |
| 25th percentile | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Median | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| 75th percentile | $75,860 | $36.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,620 | $36.84 |
| Average (mean) | $67,480 | $32.44 |
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 | $5,615 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,807.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,591.54 |
| Weekly | $1,295.77 |
| Hourly | $32.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $66,150 | 2,550 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $78,100 | $37.55 |
| Security Guard | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,690 | $46.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,170 | $40.95 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $88,450 | $42.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,090 | $24.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,510 | $34.38 |
| Animal Control Worker | $55,060 | $26.47 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $54,620 | $26.26 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $54,630 | $26.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $89,320 | $42.94 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for firefighters in Rhode Island is $67,380 a year, or $32.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of firefighters in Rhode Island earn at least $76,620 a year. The top 25% earn $75,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,110 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $60,650 or less.
How many firefighters work in Rhode Island?
About 1,620 firefighters are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.