Firefighter salary in Worcester, MA
Firefighters in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median of $66,310 a year ($31.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,060 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 9% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $72,800. There are 3.9 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Worcester, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,900 | $21.59 |
| 25th percentile | $57,190 | $27.49 |
| Median | $66,310 | $31.88 |
| 75th percentile | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Average (mean) | $66,380 | $31.92 |
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 | $5,525.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,762.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,550.38 |
| Weekly | $1,275.19 |
| Hourly | $31.88 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town, MA | $74,870 | 490 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $73,990 | 8,510 |
| Springfield, MA | $66,720 | 830 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $66,150 | 2,550 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $59,270 | 300 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $56,640 | 250 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $80,210 | $38.56 |
| Security Guard | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $87,950 | $42.29 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $91,980 | $44.22 |
| School Bus Monitor | $40,130 | $19.30 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $100,530 | $48.33 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,430 | $29.05 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $89,270 | $42.92 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Animal Control Worker | $55,410 | $26.64 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $42,720 | $20.54 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Worcester, MA
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 Worcester, MA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Worcester, MA metro area is $66,310 a year, or $31.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Worcester, MA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Worcester, MA metro area earn at least $82,060 a year. The top 25% earn $82,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Worcester, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,900 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $57,190 or less.
How many firefighters work in Worcester, MA?
About 1,360 firefighters are employed in the Worcester, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.