Firefighter salary in St. Cloud, MN
Firefighters in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn a median of $33,820 a year ($16.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,300 for the top 10%. That is 43% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 11% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $38,110. There are 2.1 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in St. Cloud, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,150 | $11.13 |
| 25th percentile | $30,440 | $14.64 |
| Median | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| 75th percentile | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,300 | $27.07 |
| Average (mean) | $38,730 | $18.62 |
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 | $2,818.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,409.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,300.77 |
| Weekly | $650.38 |
| Hourly | $16.26 |
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 |
| Rochester, MN | $35,200 | 230 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,190 | 120 |
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 St. Cloud, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,880 | $36.96 |
| Security Guard | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $111,840 | $53.77 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $68,490 | $32.93 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,560 | $15.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $74,520 | $35.83 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in St. Cloud, 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 St. Cloud, MN?
The median salary for firefighters in the St. Cloud, MN metro area is $33,820 a year, or $16.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in St. Cloud, MN?
The top 10% of firefighters in the St. Cloud, MN metro area earn at least $56,300 a year. The top 25% earn $44,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in St. Cloud, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,150 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $30,440 or less.
How many firefighters work in St. Cloud, MN?
About 210 firefighters are employed in the St. Cloud, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.