Firefighter salary in Traverse City, MI
Firefighters in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn a median of $46,990 a year ($22.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,350 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 14% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $54,640. There are 2.0 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Traverse City, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| 25th percentile | $37,910 | $18.23 |
| Median | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| 75th percentile | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,350 | $29.49 |
| Average (mean) | $49,320 | $23.71 |
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 | $3,915.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,957.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,807.31 |
| Weekly | $903.65 |
| Hourly | $22.59 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $62,730 | 3,520 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $57,540 | 410 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $56,450 | 440 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $56,260 | 420 |
| Midland, MI | $52,800 | 60 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $52,200 | 120 |
| Niles, MI | $50,600 | 110 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $48,460 | 160 |
| Jackson, MI | $47,690 | 100 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $45,480 | 60 |
| Monroe, MI | $44,730 | 70 |
| Saginaw, MI | $44,550 | 80 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $41,580 | 140 |
| Flint, MI | $39,150 | 180 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Traverse City, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| Security Guard | $40,060 | $19.26 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $73,050 | $35.12 |
| Bailiff | $25,960 | $12.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $74,850 | $35.99 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Traverse City, MI
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 Traverse City, MI?
The median salary for firefighters in the Traverse City, MI metro area is $46,990 a year, or $22.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Traverse City, MI?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn at least $61,350 a year. The top 25% earn $58,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Traverse City, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,090 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $37,910 or less.
How many firefighters work in Traverse City, MI?
About 140 firefighters are employed in the Traverse City, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.