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 Mississippi, one of the first questions you probably have is about pay. How much do firefighters actually make in Mississippi? Is it enough to support a family? And how does it compare to what firefighters earn in other states?
Right now, Mississippi fire departments are advertising a median starting salary of $46,920 across 9 openings on FireJobs (updated Oct 26, 2026). 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 Mississippi. Let's break it all down.
The average firefighter salary in Mississippi is $37,230 per year (BLS, May 2025, published 2026), which is below the national average of $63,630. Mississippi ranks #49 out of 50 states for firefighter pay. Entry level firefighters can expect to earn around $26,850, while the most experienced firefighters earn up to $51,310 annually.
What Departments Are Posting Now (FireJobs, as of October 2026)
The median advertised starting salary across 9 current firefighter postings in Mississippi is $46,920, ranging from $35,280 to $65,178.
Recent postings:
| Department | Position | Posted pay (yearly) | Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel Fire Department | Entry Level Firefighter | $46,920 to $49,747 | Oct 19 |
| Philadelphia Fire Department | Firefighter | $64,982 to $90,253 | Oct 12 |
| Gulfport Fire Department | Firefighter Recruit | $39,590 to $49,657 | Sep 8 |
| Jackson Fire Department | Firefighter I/Trainee | $35,280 | Jul 21 |
| Southaven Fire Department | Fire Dept - Certified Firefighter | $65,178 | Jul 21 |
See all current firefighter openings in Mississippi 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 Mississippi?
Here are the key numbers for firefighters in Mississippi, straight from the BLS:
| Metric | Mississippi | National |
|---|---|---|
| Average (mean) annual salary | $37,230 | $63,630 |
| Median annual salary | $35,880 | $59,280 |
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $26,850 | $34,910 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $51,310 | $101,040 |
| Firefighters employed | 2,920 | , |
Federal data: BLS, May 2025 (published 2026)
The median is often the more useful number. Half of Mississippi firefighters earn more than $35,880 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 Mississippi right now
Every listing on FireJobs is checked by hand, with closing dates and a direct application link. Filter by department and position.
See Mississippi firefighter jobs →Firefighter Salary Breakdown in Mississippi
- Entry level: Around $26,850. This is what a probationary firefighter at a smaller or rural department can expect in year one.
- Mid career: Around $35,880. Most firefighters with five to ten years on the job land in this range.
- Experienced / senior: Up to $51,310 and beyond. Top step firefighters, engineers, and lieutenants at the largest departments, especially with overtime and paramedic pay, sit here.
Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, and Southaven run the largest career departments in the state. The Gulf Coast casino economy supports better funded departments than much of the rest of Mississippi, which is heavily volunteer.
Mississippi vs. National Average
At $37,230, the average Mississippi firefighter earns about $26,400 (41%) less than the national average of $63,630. That puts Mississippi at #49 of 50 states. For comparison, California leads the country at $95,090 and the lowest paying state comes in at $36,610.
Mississippi has the lowest cost of living in the United States, which offsets the low wage somewhat. Housing is very cheap statewide.
Factors That Affect Firefighter Pay in Mississippi
- Department size and location. Big city departments pay the most. The largest employers are in Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, Biloxi, Hattiesburg.
- Union representation. Mississippi is a right to work state without public sector collective bargaining, so firefighter pay is set entirely by city budgets and is among the lowest 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 Mississippi's large departments earn well into six figures.
How to Become a Firefighter in Mississippi
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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi.
Is Being a Firefighter in Mississippi Worth It?
Pay is only part of the picture. Firefighters in Mississippi 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.