Firefighter salary in Tucson, AZ
Firefighters in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $47,960 a year ($23.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,180 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 19% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $59,280. There are 2.1 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,510 | $17.07 |
| 25th percentile | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Median | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| 75th percentile | $56,370 | $27.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,180 | $34.70 |
| Average (mean) | $49,580 | $23.84 |
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 | $3,996.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,998.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,844.62 |
| Weekly | $922.31 |
| Hourly | $23.06 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $61,780 | 4,020 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $54,810 | 500 |
| Yuma, AZ | $54,220 | 350 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $53,530 | 220 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $50,380 | 360 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $49,240 | 460 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| Security Guard | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,970 | $26.43 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $105,350 | $50.65 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $76,970 | $37.00 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $71,590 | $34.42 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,400 | $15.58 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,840 | $35.98 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for firefighters in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $47,960 a year, or $23.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $72,180 a year. The top 25% earn $56,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,510 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $36,680 or less.
How many firefighters work in Tucson, AZ?
About 830 firefighters are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.