Firefighters Salary in Chicago, IL-IN
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Median annual salary
$88,290
+48.3% vs national
Median hourly
$42.45
10th percentile
$41,370
90th percentile
$123,140
Employed locally
10,560
National median
$59,530
Compare Firefighters salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Firefighters
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs
Salary percentile breakdown
Chicago economic context
Unemployment rate
5.10%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$88,850
2023 • Census ACS
Firefighters salary vs area income
99%
Median Firefighters salary is 1% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Firefighters make per hour in Chicago?
The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Chicago, IL-IN is $42.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $54.29 or more per hour.
Is Chicago above or below average for Firefighters salaries?
The median Firefighters salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 48.3% 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 Chicago?
Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $41,370 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $54,600.