Firefighter salary in Virginia
Firefighters in Virginia earn a median of $58,670 a year ($28.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,310 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $59,280. Virginia ranks 22nd of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.7 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,240, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| 25th percentile | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Median | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| 75th percentile | $70,530 | $33.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,310 | $37.17 |
| Average (mean) | $58,240 | $28.00 |
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 | $4,889.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,444.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,256.54 |
| Weekly | $1,128.27 |
| Hourly | $28.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,980 | 7,610 |
| Richmond, VA | $60,790 | 2,020 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $56,940 | 2,880 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $49,410 | 80 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $46,860 | 260 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $45,450 | 260 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,110 | 270 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $43,900 | 180 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,310 | 540 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $38,380 | 60 |
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 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $70,460 | $33.88 |
| Security Guard | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,070 | $14.46 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $112,760 | $54.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $64,190 | $30.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| School Bus Monitor | $36,510 | $17.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $69,910 | $33.61 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for firefighters in Virginia is $58,670 a year, or $28.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Virginia?
The top 10% of firefighters in Virginia earn at least $77,310 a year. The top 25% earn $70,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,310 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $46,200 or less.
How many firefighters work in Virginia?
About 11,160 firefighters are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.