Firefighters Salary in Boston, MA-NH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

Median annual salary $73,700 +23.8% vs national
Median hourly $35.43
10th percentile $47,330
90th percentile $119,940
Employed locally 8,550
National median $59,530

Compare Firefighters salary & buying power

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Firefighters
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Boston, MA-NH
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,330
    25th
    $61,910
    50th (median)
    $73,700
    75th
    $81,350
    90th
    $119,940

    Boston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,484 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 66% Median Firefighters salary is 34% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Firefighters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $164,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $121,270
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $108,320
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $105,250
    Vallejo, CA $104,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $102,220

    Nearby metros — Firefighters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $102,220
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $88,440
    Barnstable Town, MA $75,520
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $74,860
    Massachusetts $73,110
    Worcester, MA $70,620

    Related occupations in Boston, MA-NH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$45,300
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$78,610
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$81,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$107,100
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$97,840
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$37,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Boston?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Boston, MA-NH is $35.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $56.99 or more per hour.

    Is Boston above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Boston, MA-NH is 23.8% above the national median of $59,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Firefighters in Boston?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $47,330 per year in Boston, MA-NH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,910.