Firefighters Salary in Columbia, MO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, MO

Median annual salary $36,880 -38% vs national
Median hourly $17.73
10th percentile $25,580
90th percentile $47,420
Employed locally 190
National median $59,530

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Firefighters
in
Columbia, MO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $25,580
    25th
    $33,140
    50th (median)
    $36,880
    75th
    $47,420
    90th
    $47,420

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,463 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 53% Median Firefighters salary is 47% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $121,270
    Modesto, CA $84,200
    Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $82,000
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $77,590
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $73,000
    Montana $64,020

    Related occupations in Columbia, MO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,940
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $62,820
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $41,310
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $82,300
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $60,020

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Columbia, MO is $17.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.80 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Columbia, MO is 38% below 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $25,580 per year in Columbia, MO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,140.