Firefighters Salary in Grand Rapids, MI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI

Median annual salary $55,410 -6.9% vs national
Median hourly $26.64
10th percentile $37,210
90th percentile $70,330
Employed locally 660
National median $59,530

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Firefighters
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Grand Rapids, MI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,210
    25th
    $46,670
    50th (median)
    $55,410
    75th
    $67,440
    90th
    $70,330

    Grand Rapids economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,296 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 69% Median Firefighters salary is 31% 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
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $78,980
    Missoula, MT $77,390
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $75,590
    Bloomington, IL $68,480
    Elmira, NY $67,690
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $61,900

    Related occupations in Grand Rapids, MI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $43,890
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $77,470
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $65,250
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $28,850
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $97,770
    First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers $49,800

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Grand Rapids?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Grand Rapids, MI is $26.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.77 or more per hour.

    Is Grand Rapids above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Grand Rapids, MI is 6.9% 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 Grand Rapids?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $37,210 per year in Grand Rapids, MI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,670.