How much do firefighters make in Detroit? The average firefighter salary in the Detroit metro area is $61,940 a year (median $62,730), which is below the national average of $63,630 and above the Michigan average of $56,250. Entry level firefighters earn around $41,120, and the most experienced earn up to $84,390. The data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics survey covering May 2025, the most recent available.
Firefighter Salary in Detroit: The Numbers
| Metric | Detroit metro | Michigan | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average (mean) | $61,940 | $56,250 | $63,630 |
| Median | $62,730 | n/a | $59,280 |
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $41,120 | n/a | $34,910 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $84,390 | n/a | $101,040 |
| Firefighters employed in metro | 3,520 | n/a | n/a |
The metro area figure covers the whole Detroit region, not just the city department, so it blends big city pay with the suburban and county departments around it. The median is usually the better guide to what a midcareer firefighter takes home in base pay.
Who Hires Firefighters in Detroit
Detroit Fire Department is the largest employer, with Dearborn, Warren, Sterling Heights, Livonia, and the Oakland County departments behind it.
What Changes the Number
- Overtime. Most departments in the metro run 24 hour shifts, and overtime, holiday, and call back pay commonly add 10 to 30 percent to base salary. None of that is in the BLS figure.
- Paramedic pay. Paramedic certification is the single biggest raise available to a firefighter in Detroit, typically $5,000 to $15,000 a year.
- Rank. Engineer, lieutenant, captain, and chief officer each bring a step up; chief officers at the largest departments in the metro earn well into six figures.
- Cost of living. Detroit area housing is among the most affordable of any large metro, which makes a near average wage go far.
How to Get Hired in Detroit
The path is the same as anywhere: meet the age and education requirements, pass a written exam and the CPAT, clear a background and medical, and complete the academy. Most departments in the metro require or strongly prefer EMT certification. Start with how to become a firefighter in Michigan, check the full Michigan salary breakdown, and use the eligibility checker before you apply.