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 Maryland, one of the first questions you probably have is about pay. How much do firefighters actually make in Maryland? Is it enough to support a family? And how does it compare to what firefighters earn in other states?
Right now, there is 1 Maryland firefighter opening with a listed yearly salary on FireJobs (updated Oct 26, 2026); the newest, from BWI Airport Fire & Rescue Department, starts at $61,060. 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 Maryland. Let's break it all down.
The average firefighter salary in Maryland is $72,550 per year (BLS, May 2025, published 2026), which is above the national average of $63,630. Maryland ranks #10 out of 50 states for firefighter pay. Entry level firefighters can expect to earn around $48,030, while the most experienced firefighters earn up to $98,770 annually.
What Departments Are Posting Now (FireJobs, as of October 2026)
There is 1 current firefighter posting in Maryland with a listed yearly salary, at $61,060. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BWI Airport Fire & Rescue Department | Airport Firefighter Trainee | $61,060 to $93,809 | Oct 19 |
See all current firefighter openings in Maryland 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 26, 2026
How Much Do Firefighters Make in Maryland?
Here are the key numbers for firefighters in Maryland, straight from the BLS:
| Metric | Maryland | National |
|---|---|---|
| Average (mean) annual salary | $72,550 | $63,630 |
| Median annual salary | $73,810 | $59,280 |
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $48,030 | $34,910 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $98,770 | $101,040 |
| Firefighters employed | 5,340 | , |
Federal data: BLS, May 2025 (published 2026)
The median is often the more useful number. Half of Maryland firefighters earn more than $73,810 and half earn less. The average gets pulled around by a small number of very high earners in the biggest departments.
Firefighter jobs open in Maryland right now
Every listing on FireJobs is checked by hand, with closing dates and a direct application link. Filter by department and position.
See Maryland firefighter jobs →Firefighter Salary Breakdown in Maryland
- Entry level: Around $48,030. This is what a probationary firefighter at a smaller or rural department can expect in year one.
- Mid career: Around $73,810. Most firefighters with five to ten years on the job land in this range.
- Experienced / senior: Up to $98,770 and beyond. Top step firefighters, engineers, and lieutenants at the largest departments, especially with overtime and paramedic pay, sit here.
The large county departments around Washington and Baltimore, including Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, and Howard County, plus Baltimore City Fire Department, employ most of the state's career firefighters and pay well above the national average.
Maryland vs. National Average
At $72,550, the average Maryland firefighter earns about $8,920 (14%) more than the national average of $63,630. That puts Maryland at #10 of 50 states. For comparison, California leads the country at $95,090 and the lowest paying state comes in at $36,610.
Cost of living in the DC and Baltimore suburbs is high, especially housing. The pay generally keeps up, but firefighters often commute from farther out.
Factors That Affect Firefighter Pay in Maryland
- Department size and location. Big city departments pay the most. The largest employers are in Baltimore, Rockville, Silver Spring, Columbia, Annapolis, Frederick.
- Union representation. Maryland firefighters are heavily unionized and work under strong county contracts. Montgomery and Prince George's counties are consistently among the best paying departments in the country.
- 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 Maryland's large departments earn well into six figures.
How to Become a Firefighter in Maryland
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 Maryland 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 Maryland.
Is Being a Firefighter in Maryland Worth It?
Pay is only part of the picture. Firefighters in Maryland 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.