How much do firefighters make in Las Vegas? The average firefighter salary in the Las Vegas metro area is $64,850 a year (median $59,280), which is above the national average of $63,630 and below the Nevada average of $70,510. Entry-level firefighters earn around $47,600, and the most experienced earn up to $78,130. The data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics survey covering May 2025, the most recent available.
Firefighter Salary in Las Vegas: The Numbers
| Metric | Las Vegas metro | Nevada | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average (mean) | $64,850 | $70,510 | $63,630 |
| Median | $59,280 | — | $59,280 |
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $47,600 | — | $34,910 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $78,130 | — | $101,040 |
| Firefighters employed in metro | 1,430 | — | — |
The metro area figure covers the whole Las Vegas 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 Las Vegas
Clark County Fire Department, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, Henderson, and North Las Vegas have historically had some of the richest firefighter contracts in the country.
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 Las Vegas, 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. No state income tax and housing costs below California's make Las Vegas pay go a long way.
How to Get Hired in Las Vegas
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 Nevada, check the full Nevada salary breakdown, and use the eligibility checker before you apply.
