How much do firefighters make in Kansas City? The average firefighter salary in the Kansas City metro area is $59,560 a year (median $60,770), which is below the national average of $63,630 and above the Missouri average of $55,240. Entry-level firefighters earn around $38,740, and the most experienced earn up to $84,220. The data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics survey covering May 2025, the most recent available.
Firefighter Salary in Kansas City: The Numbers
| Metric | Kansas City metro | Missouri | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average (mean) | $59,560 | $55,240 | $63,630 |
| Median | $60,770 | — | $59,280 |
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $38,740 | — | $34,910 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $84,220 | — | $101,040 |
| Firefighters employed in metro | 3,000 | — | — |
The metro area figure covers the whole Kansas City 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 mid-career firefighter takes home in base pay.
Who Hires Firefighters in Kansas City
Kansas City Fire Department (Missouri), Kansas City Kansas Fire, Overland Park, Olathe, and Independence are the major employers on both sides of the state line.
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 Kansas City, 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. Kansas City is one of the most affordable large metros in the country.
How to Get Hired in Kansas City
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 Missouri, check the full Missouri salary breakdown, and use the eligibility checker before you apply.
