Firefighter salary in Wichita, KS
Firefighters in the Wichita, KS metro area earn a median of $41,900 a year ($20.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,650 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 9% lower than the Kansas statewide median of $45,900. There are 2.6 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Wichita, KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,260 | $17.92 |
| 25th percentile | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Median | $41,900 | $20.14 |
| 75th percentile | $49,650 | $23.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,650 | $23.87 |
| Average (mean) | $43,770 | $21.05 |
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 | $3,491.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,745.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,611.54 |
| Weekly | $805.77 |
| Hourly | $20.14 |
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 |
| Topeka, KS | $57,570 | 220 |
| Manhattan, KS | $53,290 | 120 |
| Lawrence, KS | $51,930 | 70 |
| 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 Wichita, KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $44,440 | $21.36 |
| Security Guard | $34,790 | $16.73 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $56,270 | $27.05 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,790 | $13.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $90,610 | $43.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $58,250 | $28.01 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $87,280 | $41.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $75,150 | $36.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Bailiff | $69,390 | $33.36 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Animal Control Worker | $43,190 | $20.77 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Wichita, 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 Wichita, KS?
The median salary for firefighters in the Wichita, KS metro area is $41,900 a year, or $20.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Wichita, KS?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Wichita, KS metro area earn at least $49,650 a year. The top 25% earn $49,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Wichita, KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,260 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $39,250 or less.
How many firefighters work in Wichita, KS?
About 790 firefighters are employed in the Wichita, KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.