Firefighter salary in West Virginia
Firefighters in West Virginia earn a median of $37,350 a year ($17.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,390 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $59,280. West Virginia ranks 47th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 1.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $40,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| 25th percentile | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| Median | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| 75th percentile | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,390 | $24.71 |
| Average (mean) | $40,100 | $19.28 |
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 | $3,112.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,556.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,436.54 |
| Weekly | $718.27 |
| Hourly | $17.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,980 | 7,610 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $49,690 | 230 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $48,070 | 110 |
| Beckley, WV | $41,770 | 80 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $41,140 | 210 |
| Charleston, WV | $38,780 | 230 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $36,060 | 230 |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $52,490 | $25.24 |
| Security Guard | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,960 | $27.39 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,280 | $35.71 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,670 | $11.86 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $55,380 | $26.63 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| Bailiff | $36,250 | $17.43 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for firefighters in West Virginia is $37,350 a year, or $17.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of firefighters in West Virginia earn at least $51,390 a year. The top 25% earn $44,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,020 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $32,950 or less.
How many firefighters work in West Virginia?
About 900 firefighters are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.