Firefighters Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $102,220 +71.7% vs national
Median hourly $49.14
10th percentile $72,110
90th percentile $122,040
Employed locally 4,150
National median $59,530

Compare Firefighters salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Seattle, WA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Firefighters
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Seattle, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $72,110
    25th
    $89,080
    50th (median)
    $102,220
    75th
    $110,150
    90th
    $122,040

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 91% Median Firefighters salary is 9% 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
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $100,040

    Nearby metros — Firefighters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $105,250
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $100,040
    Longview-Kelso, WA $97,460
    Washington $93,490
    Bellingham, WA $93,170
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $90,180

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$48,400
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$114,200
    Protective Service Workers, All Other$42,120
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$80,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$128,800
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers$58,450

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Seattle?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Seattle, WA is $49.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $59.62 or more per hour.

    Is Seattle above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Seattle, WA is 71.7% 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $72,110 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $89,080.