Firefighter salary in Richmond, VA
Firefighters in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $60,790 a year ($29.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,310 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 4% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $58,670. There are 3.1 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,940 | $18.72 |
| 25th percentile | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Median | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| 75th percentile | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,310 | $37.17 |
| Average (mean) | $62,440 | $30.02 |
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 | $5,065.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,532.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,338.08 |
| Weekly | $1,169.04 |
| Hourly | $29.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,980 | 7,610 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $56,940 | 2,880 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $49,410 | 80 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $46,860 | 260 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $45,450 | 260 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,110 | 270 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $43,900 | 180 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,310 | 540 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $38,380 | 60 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $51,660 | $24.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $100,210 | $48.18 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,080 | $43.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $67,440 | $32.43 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| School Bus Monitor | $30,420 | $14.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,510 | $30.06 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,960 | $31.71 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $52,430 | $25.21 |
| Animal Control Worker | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| Bailiff | $61,470 | $29.55 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Richmond, VA metro area is $60,790 a year, or $29.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $77,310 a year. The top 25% earn $76,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,940 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $50,170 or less.
How many firefighters work in Richmond, VA?
About 2,020 firefighters are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.