Firefighter Salary in Boston, MA
Firefighters in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $73,990 a year — 25% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,402 take-home, or $4,784 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,448
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,587
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,073
- Massachusetts income tax$3,480
- Take-home pay$57,402
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Firefighter pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,700 | $23.89 | $39,849 | $3,321 |
| 25th percentile | $62,050 | $29.83 | $49,155 | $4,096 |
| Median (50th) | $73,990 | $35.57 | $57,402 | $4,784 |
| 75th percentile | $81,110 | $39.00 | $62,055 | $5,171 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,540 | $56.99 | $86,516 | $7,210 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $73,990 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $57,402 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,020 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 1.4× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #18 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $87,980 | $67,561 | $63,868 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $98,050 | $71,644 | $63,086 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $82,820 | $63,139 | $60,948 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $78,050 | $61,342 | $59,814 |
| 18 | Boston, MA | $73,990 | $57,402 | $53,020 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
About the job: firefighters
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Boston, MA?
The median firefighter salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $73,990 a year, or about $35.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,050 and $81,110.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $73,990 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $57,402 a year ($4,784 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,480 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 25% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,020 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #18 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $108,190
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $96,740
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $89,060
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $78,180
- Security Guard — $44,990