Firefighter salary in Rochester, MN
Firefighters in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median of $35,200 a year ($16.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,380 for the top 10%. That is 41% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 8% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $38,110. There are 1.8 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Rochester, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| 25th percentile | $28,940 | $13.92 |
| Median | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| 75th percentile | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Average (mean) | $44,730 | $21.50 |
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 | $2,933.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,466.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,353.85 |
| Weekly | $676.92 |
| Hourly | $16.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $68,060 | 180 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $53,130 | 270 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $50,840 | 190 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $39,350 | 3,980 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $38,900 | 250 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $37,410 | 380 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,190 | 120 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $33,820 | 210 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $65,350 | $31.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $106,000 | $50.96 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| School Bus Monitor | $41,720 | $20.06 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $75,100 | $36.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $78,800 | $37.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $94,040 | $45.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $77,200 | $37.12 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, MN
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 Rochester, MN?
The median salary for firefighters in the Rochester, MN metro area is $35,200 a year, or $16.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Rochester, MN?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Rochester, MN metro area earn at least $70,380 a year. The top 25% earn $61,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Rochester, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,540 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $28,940 or less.
How many firefighters work in Rochester, MN?
About 230 firefighters are employed in the Rochester, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.