Firefighter Salary in Denver, CO
Firefighters in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $87,980 a year — 48% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $67,561 take-home, or $5,630 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,526
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,455
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,276
- Colorado income tax$3,163
- Take-home pay$67,561
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Firefighter pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,980 | $29.32 | $49,203 | $4,100 |
| 25th percentile | $73,020 | $35.11 | $57,695 | $4,808 |
| Median (50th) | $87,980 | $42.30 | $67,561 | $5,630 |
| 75th percentile | $103,930 | $49.97 | $78,080 | $6,507 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,750 | $59.01 | $90,473 | $7,539 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $87,980 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $67,561 take-home pay has the buying power of $63,868 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Firefighter jobs are about as common in Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #5 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 |
*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 Denver, CO?
The median firefighter salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $87,980 a year, or about $42.30 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $73,020 and $103,930.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $87,980 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $67,561 a year ($5,630 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,163 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 48% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $63,868 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #5 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $101,970
- Security Guard — $45,420
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $43,720
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $36,620