Hiring a firefighter: the market today

The short answer · Sep 25, 2026

195 open postings ask for a firefighter as of Sep 25, 2026, from 84 employers. The median advertised minimum is $55,882. 112 of those postings are new in the last 30 days, so expect competition.

195open postings

84employers hiring

$55,882median advertised minimum

112new in 30 days

Who you're competing with

Office of the Secretary of the Interior28

United States Army Installation Management Command13

U.S. Marine Corps8

Military and Naval Affairs, Division of7

State of Georgia7

Open postings · Ayla, 2026-09-25

What it pays

Lower quartile$47,032

Median$55,882

Upper quartile$65,846

Federal average, series 0081$74,607

Advertised minimum, 164 postings with pay · OPM actual pay, Jul 2026

Questions buyers ask

How hard is it to hire a firefighter?

Competitive. 84 employers are hiring the role right now, led by Office of the Secretary of the Interior with 28 open postings.

What should I pay a firefighter?

Advertised minimums center on $55,882. Federal staff in series 0081 average $74,607 in actual pay.