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

Firefighter Salary in Massachusetts

Median Annual in Massachusetts
$72,800/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$35.00/hr
▲ 23% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Massachusetts

groups Employed in MA
11,940
public U.S. Median
$59,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$68,837 #11 of 50

Firefighter pay in Massachusetts, explained

Firefighters in Massachusetts earn a median of $72,800 per year ($35.00 per hour), which is 23% above the national median of $59,280. Entry-level workers earn around $49,730, while the most experienced firefighters reach about $98,130. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Massachusetts.

Is $72,800 good pay in Massachusetts?

Adjusted for Massachusetts's cost of living (which runs 106% of the U.S. average), that $72,800 is worth about $68,837 in national buying power — ranking Massachusetts #11 for real pay (vs #11 on the sticker number).

See the full Firefighter Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Firefighter pay by experience in Massachusetts

Entry level (10th pct)
$49,730
$23.91/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$72,800
$35.00/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$98,130
$47.18/hr

Firefighter pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs MA
Massachusetts (here) $72,800 $68,837
New York $100,960 $93,550 −$28,160
Connecticut $77,630 $74,925 −$4,830
Rhode Island $67,380 $65,878 +$5,420
New Hampshire $56,620 $54,356 +$16,180
Vermont $46,430 $47,398 +$26,370

Firefighter in Massachusetts: FAQ

How much do firefighters make in Massachusetts?

Firefighters in Massachusetts earn a median of $72,800 per year ($35.00 per hour), compared with $59,280 nationally.

Does Massachusetts pay firefighters well?

At $72,800, Massachusetts pays 23% above the national median for firefighters. An estimated 11,940 work in the state.

Firefighter salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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