How much do firefighters make in Washington, D.C.? The average firefighter salary in the Washington, D.C. metro area is $70,910 a year (median $66,980), which is above the national average of $63,630 and below the District of Columbia average of $79,550. Entry-level firefighters earn around $48,360, and the most experienced earn up to $98,770. The data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics survey covering May 2025, the most recent available.
Firefighter Salary in Washington, D.C.: The Numbers
| Metric | Washington, D.C. metro | District of Columbia | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average (mean) | $70,910 | $79,550 | $63,630 |
| Median | $66,980 | — | $59,280 |
| Entry level (10th percentile) | $48,360 | — | $34,910 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $98,770 | — | $101,040 |
| Firefighters employed in metro | 7,610 | — | — |
The metro area figure covers the whole Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.
DC Fire and EMS, plus Montgomery County, Prince George's County, Fairfax County, Arlington, and Alexandria, make the Washington metro one of the highest-paying firefighter markets 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 Washington, D.C., 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. Cost of living is very high, and most firefighters live in the Maryland or Virginia suburbs.
How to Get Hired in Washington, D.C.
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 District of Columbia, check the full District of Columbia salary breakdown, and use the eligibility checker before you apply.
