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

Firefighter Salary in Illinois

Median Annual in Illinois
$78,380/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$37.68/hr
▲ 32% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Illinois

groups Employed in IL
18,400
public U.S. Median
$59,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$78,413 #3 of 50

Firefighter pay in Illinois, explained

Firefighters in Illinois earn a median of $78,380 per year ($37.68 per hour), which is 32% above the national median of $59,280. Entry-level workers earn around $38,900, while the most experienced firefighters reach about $106,060. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Illinois.

Is $78,380 good pay in Illinois?

Adjusted for Illinois's cost of living (which runs 100% of the U.S. average), that $78,380 is worth about $78,413 in national buying power — ranking Illinois #3 for real pay (vs #5 on the sticker number).

See the full Firefighter Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Firefighter pay by experience in Illinois

Entry level (10th pct)
$38,900
$18.70/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$78,380
$37.68/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$106,060
$50.99/hr

Firefighter pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs IL
Illinois (here) $78,380 $78,413
Indiana $62,780 $67,267 +$15,600
Iowa $55,810 $63,592 +$22,570
Missouri $49,080 $54,043 +$29,300
Wisconsin $46,850 $49,790 +$31,530
Kentucky $37,150 $41,205 +$41,230

Firefighter in Illinois: FAQ

How much do firefighters make in Illinois?

Firefighters in Illinois earn a median of $78,380 per year ($37.68 per hour), compared with $59,280 nationally.

Does Illinois pay firefighters well?

At $78,380, Illinois pays 32% above the national median for firefighters. An estimated 18,400 work in the state.

Firefighter salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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