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

Firefighter Salary in Kentucky

Median Annual in Kentucky
$37,150/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$17.86/hr
▼ 37% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Kentucky

groups Employed in KY
5,150
public U.S. Median
$59,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$41,205 #47 of 50

Firefighter pay in Kentucky, explained

Firefighters in Kentucky earn a median of $37,150 per year ($17.86 per hour), which is 37% below the national median of $59,280. Entry-level workers earn around $27,870, while the most experienced firefighters reach about $60,720. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Kentucky.

Is $37,150 good pay in Kentucky?

Adjusted for Kentucky's cost of living (which runs 90% of the U.S. average), that $37,150 is worth about $41,205 in national buying power — ranking Kentucky #47 for real pay (vs #48 on the sticker number).

See the full Firefighter Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Firefighter pay by experience in Kentucky

Entry level (10th pct)
$27,870
$13.40/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$37,150
$17.86/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$60,720
$29.19/hr

Firefighter pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs KY
Kentucky (here) $37,150 $41,205
Illinois $78,380 $78,413 −$41,230
Indiana $62,780 $67,267 −$25,630
Ohio $59,370 $63,994 −$22,220
Virginia $58,670 $58,029 −$21,520
Tennessee $49,300 $53,663 −$12,150
Missouri $49,080 $54,043 −$11,930
West Virginia $37,350 $41,733 −$200

Firefighter in Kentucky: FAQ

How much do firefighters make in Kentucky?

Firefighters in Kentucky earn a median of $37,150 per year ($17.86 per hour), compared with $59,280 nationally.

Does Kentucky pay firefighters well?

At $37,150, Kentucky pays 37% below the national median for firefighters. An estimated 5,150 work in the state.

Firefighter salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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