Firefighter salary in Wisconsin
Firefighters in Wisconsin earn a median of $46,850 a year ($22.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,050 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $59,280. Wisconsin ranks 37th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.8 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| 25th percentile | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Median | $46,850 | $22.53 |
| 75th percentile | $62,660 | $30.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Average (mean) | $50,710 | $24.38 |
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 | $3,904.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,952.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,801.92 |
| Weekly | $900.96 |
| Hourly | $22.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan, WI | $79,620 | 80 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $66,000 | 190 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $63,590 | 260 |
| Madison, WI | $56,430 | 1,230 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $51,520 | 300 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $49,760 | 2,130 |
| Green Bay, WI | $47,980 | 590 |
| Kenosha, WI | $46,850 | 280 |
| Wausau, WI | $46,820 | 260 |
| Appleton, WI | $46,800 | 320 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $45,110 | 120 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $39,350 | 3,980 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $38,900 | 250 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $37,410 | 380 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $36,030 | 310 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $66,600 | $32.02 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,090 | $37.55 |
| Security Guard | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $73,470 | $35.32 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,570 | $13.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $91,040 | $43.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,310 | $40.05 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,580 | $17.11 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $55,270 | $26.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $96,260 | $46.28 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,850 | $20.12 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for firefighters in Wisconsin is $46,850 a year, or $22.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of firefighters in Wisconsin earn at least $77,050 a year. The top 25% earn $62,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,390 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $36,490 or less.
How many firefighters work in Wisconsin?
About 8,120 firefighters are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.