Firefighter Salary in Houston, TX
Firefighters in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $59,120 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $49,683 take-home, or $4,140 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,914
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,665
- Medicare (1.45%)$857
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$49,683
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Firefighter pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,600 | $21.44 | $38,016 | $3,168 |
| 25th percentile | $48,910 | $23.51 | $41,479 | $3,457 |
| Median (50th) | $59,120 | $28.42 | $49,683 | $4,140 |
| 75th percentile | $72,970 | $35.08 | $60,164 | $5,014 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,970 | $35.08 | $60,164 | $5,014 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,120 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $49,683 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,374 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 less concentrated in Houston, TX than nationally (location quotient 0.79), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #22 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 |
| 22 | Houston, TX | $59,120 | $49,683 | $50,374 |
*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.
Firefighter salaries elsewhere in Texas
- San Antonio, TX — $63,360
- Dallas, TX — $64,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Houston, TX?
The median firefighter salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $59,120 a year, or about $28.42 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,910 and $72,970.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $59,120 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $49,683 a year ($4,140 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,374 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #22 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Houston, TX
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $74,570
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $53,810
- Security Guard — $35,460