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 Nebraska, one of the first questions you probably have is about pay. How much do firefighters actually make in Nebraska? Is it enough to support a family? And how does it compare to what firefighters earn in other states?
Right now, there are 2 Nebraska firefighter openings with a listed yearly salary on FireJobs (updated Oct 26, 2026); the newest, from York Fire Department, starts at $64,760. 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 Nebraska. Let's break it all down.
The average firefighter salary in Nebraska is $59,190 per year (BLS, May 2025, published 2026), which is below the national average of $63,630. Nebraska ranks #20 out of 50 states for firefighter pay. Entry level firefighters can expect to earn around $46,660, while the most experienced firefighters earn up to $69,460 annually.
What Departments Are Posting Now (FireJobs, as of October 2026)
There are 2 current firefighter postings in Nebraska with a listed yearly salary, ranging from $52,474 to $64,760. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| York Fire Department | Firefighter | $64,760 | Oct 19 |
| Columbus Rural Fire Protection District | Firefighter | $52,474 to $81,439 | Oct 12 |
See all current firefighter openings in Nebraska 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 Nebraska?
Here are the key numbers for firefighters in Nebraska, straight from the BLS:
| Metric | Nebraska | National |
|---|---|---|
| Average (mean) annual salary | $59,190 | $63,630 |
| Median annual salary | $61,040 | $59,280 |
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $46,660 | $34,910 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $69,460 | $101,040 |
| Firefighters employed | 1,070 | , |
Federal data: BLS, May 2025 (published 2026)
The median is often the more useful number. Half of Nebraska firefighters earn more than $61,040 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 Nebraska right now
Every listing on FireJobs is checked by hand, with closing dates and a direct application link. Filter by department and position.
See Nebraska firefighter jobs →Firefighter Salary Breakdown in Nebraska
- Entry level: Around $46,660. This is what a probationary firefighter at a smaller or rural department can expect in year one.
- Mid career: Around $61,040. Most firefighters with five to ten years on the job land in this range.
- Experienced / senior: Up to $69,460 and beyond. Top step firefighters, engineers, and lieutenants at the largest departments, especially with overtime and paramedic pay, sit here.
Omaha Fire Department and Lincoln Fire & Rescue employ the large majority of Nebraska's career firefighters. Outside those two cities, the state is almost entirely volunteer.
Nebraska vs. National Average
At $59,190, the average Nebraska firefighter earns about $4,440 (7%) less than the national average of $63,630. That puts Nebraska at #20 of 50 states. For comparison, California leads the country at $95,090 and the lowest paying state comes in at $36,610.
Nebraska's cost of living is low, and Omaha and Lincoln housing is affordable for a firefighter salary.
Factors That Affect Firefighter Pay in Nebraska
- Department size and location. Big city departments pay the most. The largest employers are in Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, Grand Island, Kearney.
- Union representation. Nebraska's career firefighters bargain through IAFF locals under the state Commission of Industrial Relations, which resolves impasses by comparing pay to similar cities.
- 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 Nebraska's large departments earn well into six figures.
How to Become a Firefighter in Nebraska
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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska.
Is Being a Firefighter in Nebraska Worth It?
Pay is only part of the picture. Firefighters in Nebraska 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.