Firefighters Salary in Kentucky
Firefighters in Kentucky make a median of $37,140 a year, or about $17.85 an hour. The range runs from $27K at the entry level to $59K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Kentucky. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $37K get you in Kentucky?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky
Entry-level firefighters (10th percentile) start around $27K. Mid-career wages sit at $37K. Top earners bring in $59K or more, a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Firefighters salary by metro in Kentucky
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $46K | +24% | 1,910 |
| Paducah | $41K | +11% | 140 |
| Lexington-Fayette | $37K | -1% | 930 |
| Bowling Green | $36K | -4% | 230 |
| Elizabethtown | $34K | -9% | 130 |
Compare to other states
Track firefighters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do firefighters make in Kentucky?
The median is $37,140 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $26,680, and experienced firefighters can clear $58,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $37K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,533/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,110/month, which eats 43.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a firefighters salary go in Kentucky?
Kentucky has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median firefighters salary is worth about $41,161 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do firefighters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.