Firefighters Salary in New Jersey
Firefighters in New Jersey make a median of $87,660 a year, or about $42.14 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $125K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $88K get you in New Jersey?
About firefighters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Jersey
Entry-level firefighters (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $88K.Top earners bring in $125K or more - a $78K spread from bottom to top.
Firefighters pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $93K | +57% | 8,000 |
| New York | $88K | +48% | 14,730 |
| New Jersey | $88K | +47% | 6,590 |
| California | $83K | +40% | 27,580 |
| District of Columbia | $79K | +33% | 1,430 |
| Illinois | $79K | +33% | 14,510 |
| Connecticut | $78K | +30% | 2,860 |
| Oregon | $73K | +23% | 3,660 |
| Massachusetts | $73K | +23% | 11,910 |
| Pennsylvania | $71K | +20% | N/A |
| Maryland | $71K | +19% | 5,250 |
| Rhode Island | $69K | +17% | 1,590 |
| Nevada | $67K | +13% | 2,360 |
| Montana | $64K | +8% | 960 |
| Alaska | $63K | +6% | 1,040 |
Track firefighters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Jersey numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do firefighters make in New Jersey?
The median is $87,660 a year - that works out to about $42.14 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,090, and experienced firefighters can clear $124,980. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $88K enough to live in New Jersey?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,550/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,792/month (median of metro areas), which eats 32.3% 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey 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 $87,660 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.