Firefighter salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Firefighters in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $68,970 a year ($33.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,010 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 41% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $49,080. There are 2.0 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,280, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| 25th percentile | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Median | $68,970 | $33.16 |
| 75th percentile | $75,090 | $36.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,010 | $49.04 |
| Average (mean) | $67,280 | $32.34 |
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 | $5,747.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,873.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,652.69 |
| Weekly | $1,326.35 |
| Hourly | $33.16 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $82,820 | 14,560 |
| Rockford, IL | $77,150 | 410 |
| Peoria, IL | $73,670 | 490 |
| Bloomington, IL | $69,270 | 170 |
| Springfield, IL | $65,330 | 240 |
| Decatur, IL | $62,430 | 120 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $62,190 | 340 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $60,770 | 3,000 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,080 | 410 |
| Kankakee, IL | $59,850 | 120 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $47,030 | 140 |
| Springfield, MO | $44,990 | 370 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $38,850 | 150 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $38,220 | 130 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $80,340 | $38.62 |
| Security Guard | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,730 | $14.77 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,980 | $24.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $93,380 | $44.90 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $58,330 | $28.05 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $83,990 | $40.38 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $42,930 | $20.64 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,540 | $21.89 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for firefighters in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $68,970 a year, or $33.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of firefighters in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $102,010 a year. The top 25% earn $75,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,220 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $47,770 or less.
How many firefighters work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 2,680 firefighters are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.