Firefighter salary in Syracuse, NY
Firefighters in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $58,470 a year ($28.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,360 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 42% lower than the New York statewide median of $100,960. There are 0.71 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.32). The average (mean) salary is $63,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,230 | $22.71 |
| 25th percentile | $51,050 | $24.54 |
| Median | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| 75th percentile | $72,760 | $34.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,360 | $46.33 |
| Average (mean) | $63,910 | $30.73 |
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 | $4,872.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,436.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,248.85 |
| Weekly | $1,124.42 |
| Hourly | $28.11 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $106,420 | 14,960 |
| Rochester, NY | $89,120 | 730 |
| Binghamton, NY | $81,810 | 120 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $76,120 | 230 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $75,060 | 150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $74,470 | 820 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $70,840 | 480 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $60,700 | 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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $74,740 | $35.93 |
| Security Guard | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| School Bus Monitor | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $72,060 | $34.65 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $98,390 | $47.30 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $32,870 | $15.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,460 | $17.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $71,650 | $34.45 |
| Bailiff | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,990 | $40.38 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Syracuse, NY
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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for firefighters in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $58,470 a year, or $28.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $96,360 a year. The top 25% earn $72,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,230 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $51,050 or less.
How many firefighters work in Syracuse, NY?
About 210 firefighters are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.