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

Firefighter Salary in Wisconsin

Median Annual in Wisconsin
$46,850/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$22.53/hr
▼ 21% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Wisconsin

groups Employed in WI
8,120
public U.S. Median
$59,280
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$49,790 #35 of 50

Firefighter pay in Wisconsin, explained

Firefighters in Wisconsin earn a median of $46,850 per year ($22.53 per hour), which is 21% below the national median of $59,280. Entry-level workers earn around $29,390, while the most experienced firefighters reach about $77,050. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Wisconsin.

Is $46,850 good pay in Wisconsin?

Adjusted for Wisconsin's cost of living (which runs 94% of the U.S. average), that $46,850 is worth about $49,790 in national buying power — ranking Wisconsin #35 for real pay (vs #37 on the sticker number).

See the full Firefighter Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Firefighter pay by experience in Wisconsin

Entry level (10th pct)
$29,390
$14.13/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$46,850
$22.53/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$77,050
$37.04/hr

Firefighter pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs WI
Wisconsin (here) $46,850 $49,790
Illinois $78,380 $78,413 −$31,530
Iowa $55,810 $63,592 −$8,960
Michigan $54,640 $56,788 −$7,790
Minnesota $38,110 $38,643 +$8,740

Firefighter in Wisconsin: FAQ

How much do firefighters make in Wisconsin?

Firefighters in Wisconsin earn a median of $46,850 per year ($22.53 per hour), compared with $59,280 nationally.

Does Wisconsin pay firefighters well?

At $46,850, Wisconsin pays 21% below the national median for firefighters. An estimated 8,120 work in the state.

Firefighter salary in other states

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

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