Firefighter salary in Topeka, KS
Firefighters in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median of $57,570 a year ($27.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,930 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 25% higher than the Kansas statewide median of $45,900. There are 1.9 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,800, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Topeka, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,510 | $16.11 |
| 25th percentile | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| Median | $57,570 | $27.68 |
| 75th percentile | $75,930 | $36.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,930 | $36.50 |
| Average (mean) | $54,800 | $26.34 |
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 | $4,797.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,398.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,214.23 |
| Weekly | $1,107.12 |
| Hourly | $27.68 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $60,770 | 3,000 |
| Manhattan, KS | $53,290 | 120 |
| Lawrence, KS | $51,930 | 70 |
| Wichita, KS | $41,900 | 790 |
| 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 Kansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Topeka, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| Security Guard | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $105,910 | $50.92 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $96,980 | $46.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,560 | $16.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $58,930 | $28.33 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Bailiff | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,540 | $13.72 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Topeka, KS
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 Topeka, KS?
The median salary for firefighters in the Topeka, KS metro area is $57,570 a year, or $27.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Topeka, KS?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Topeka, KS metro area earn at least $75,930 a year. The top 25% earn $75,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Topeka, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,510 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $41,240 or less.
How many firefighters work in Topeka, KS?
About 220 firefighters are employed in the Topeka, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.