verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Firefighter Salary in Colorado

Median Annual in Colorado
$74,170/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$35.66/hr
▲ 25% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Colorado

groups Employed in CO
6,510
public U.S. Median
$59,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$71,973 #8 of 50

Firefighter pay in Colorado, explained

Firefighters in Colorado earn a median of $74,170 per year ($35.66 per hour), which is 25% above the national median of $59,280. Entry-level workers earn around $47,000, while the most experienced firefighters reach about $114,170. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Colorado.

Is $74,170 good pay in Colorado?

Adjusted for Colorado's cost of living (which runs 103% of the U.S. average), that $74,170 is worth about $71,973 in national buying power — ranking Colorado #8 for real pay (vs #8 on the sticker number).

See the full Firefighter Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Firefighter pay by experience in Colorado

Entry level (10th pct)
$47,000
$22.60/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$74,170
$35.66/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$114,170
$54.89/hr

Firefighter pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CO
Colorado (here) $74,170 $71,973
Nebraska $61,040 $67,745 +$13,130
Wyoming $58,090 $62,671 +$16,080
Oklahoma $49,710 $56,590 +$24,460
Utah $48,310 $48,865 +$25,860
Kansas $45,900 $50,961 +$28,270
New Mexico $41,590 $45,103 +$32,580

Firefighter in Colorado: FAQ

How much do firefighters make in Colorado?

Firefighters in Colorado earn a median of $74,170 per year ($35.66 per hour), compared with $59,280 nationally.

Does Colorado pay firefighters well?

At $74,170, Colorado pays 25% above the national median for firefighters. An estimated 6,510 work in the state.

Firefighter salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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