How Much Do Firefighters Make in Alaska? 2026 Salary Data

Nationally, firefighters make $63,630 a year on average. See how much firefighters make in every state, ranked.

If you're considering a career in firefighting in Alaska, one of the first questions you probably have is about pay. How much do firefighters actually make in Alaska? Is it enough to support a family? And how does it compare to what firefighters earn in other states?

Right now, there are 3 Alaska firefighter openings with a listed yearly salary on FireJobs (updated Oct 7, 2026); the newest, from Kachemak Emergency Services, starts at $72,770. For the full picture, we pair that with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage survey (May 2025, published 2026), the official average pay for every firefighter in Alaska. Let's break it all down.

The average firefighter salary in Alaska is $59,190 per year (BLS, May 2025, published 2026), which is below the national average of $63,630. Alaska ranks #19 out of 50 states for firefighter pay. Entry level firefighters can expect to earn around $35,520, while the most experienced firefighters earn up to $82,360 annually.

What Departments Are Posting Now (FireJobs, as of October 2026)

There are 3 current firefighter postings in Alaska with a listed yearly salary, ranging from $58,502 to $72,770. We only publish a median with 8 or more postings, because a median of a handful of listings can swing a lot from week to week.

Department	Position	Posted pay (yearly)	Listed
Kachemak Emergency Services	Firefighter / EMT III - Paramedic - Western Emergency Services	$72,770	Oct 5
Capital City Fire & Rescue	Firefighter	$58,502 to $72,101	Sep 19
Capital City Fire & Rescue	Firefighter Paramedic	$67,267 to $83,428	Sep 19

See all current firefighter openings in Alaska on FireJobs

These are advertised starting salaries in current full time, entry level firefighter job postings, not averages of what firefighters earn. Posted pay often excludes overtime and incentives, and the BLS figures below include experienced firefighters, so the two numbers measure different things.

Live postings: FireJobs, updated Oct 7, 2026

How Much Do Firefighters Make in Alaska?

Here are the key numbers for firefighters in Alaska, straight from the BLS:

Metric	Alaska	National
Average (mean) annual salary	$59,190	$63,630
Median annual salary	$58,830	$59,280
Entry level (10th percentile)	$35,520	$34,910
Top earners (90th percentile)	$82,360	$101,040
Firefighters employed	1,040	,

Federal data: BLS, May 2025 (published 2026)

The median is often the more useful number. Half of Alaska firefighters earn more than $58,830 and half earn less. The average gets pulled around by a small number of very high earners in the biggest departments.

Firefighter Salary Breakdown in Alaska

Entry level: Around $35,520. This is what a probationary firefighter at a smaller or rural department can expect in year one.
Mid career: Around $58,830. Most firefighters with five to ten years on the job land in this range.
Experienced / senior: Up to $82,360 and beyond. Top step firefighters, engineers, and lieutenants at the largest departments, especially with overtime and paramedic pay, sit here.

Anchorage Fire Department is by far the largest employer and sets the pay ceiling, with Fairbanks and the Mat Su Borough next. Outside those areas most of Alaska is protected by volunteer departments, and the state also employs wildland firefighters seasonally through the Division of Forestry.

Alaska vs. National Average

At $59,190, the average Alaska firefighter earns about $4,440 (7%) less than the national average of $63,630. That puts Alaska at #19 of 50 states. For comparison, California leads the country at $95,090 and the lowest paying state comes in at $36,610.

Alaska pay looks high but the cost of living, especially groceries, fuel, and housing in Anchorage, is well above the national average. There is no state income tax, which helps.

Factors That Affect Firefighter Pay in Alaska

Department size and location. Big city departments pay the most. The largest employers are in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Wasilla, Kenai.
Union representation. Anchorage firefighters are represented by IAFF Local 1264 and work under a negotiated contract with regular step increases.
Certifications. Paramedic certification is the single biggest pay bump for most firefighters, often adding $5,000 to $15,000 a year. Hazmat, technical rescue, and driver/operator certifications add more.
Overtime. Most departments run 24 hour shifts, and overtime, holiday pay, and call back pay can add 10% to 30% on top of base salary.
Rank. Promotion to engineer, lieutenant, captain, and chief officer each brings a meaningful raise. Chief officers in Alaska's large departments earn well into six figures.

How to Become a Firefighter in Alaska

The basic path is the same everywhere: meet the age and education requirements, pass a written test and the CPAT physical ability test, clear a background check and medical exam, and complete a fire academy. Many Alaska departments strongly prefer or require EMT certification, and paramedic certification makes you a much stronger candidate.

We have a full step by step guide: How to Become a Firefighter in Alaska.

Is Being a Firefighter in Alaska Worth It?

Pay is only part of the picture. Firefighters in Alaska typically get a defined benefit pension, employer paid health insurance, and a schedule that leaves plenty of days off for family or a second job. Against that you have to weigh the physical toll, the exposure to trauma, and the long term health risks that come with the job. For most people who want this career, the answer is still yes. Just go in with realistic numbers.

Compare firefighter pay