Firefighter Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Firefighters in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $61,780 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $50,484 take-home, or $4,207 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,234
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,830
- Medicare (1.45%)$896
- Arizona income tax$1,336
- Take-home pay$50,484
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Firefighter pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,510 | $21.88 | $37,818 | $3,152 |
| 25th percentile | $51,810 | $24.91 | $42,723 | $3,560 |
| Median (50th) | $61,780 | $29.70 | $50,484 | $4,207 |
| 75th percentile | $80,670 | $38.78 | $63,773 | $5,314 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,590 | $44.03 | $71,183 | $5,932 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,780 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $50,484 take-home pay has the buying power of $48,864 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 Phoenix, AZ than nationally (location quotient 0.76), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #26 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 |
| 26 | Phoenix, AZ | $61,780 | $50,484 | $48,864 |
*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 Phoenix, AZ?
The median firefighter salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $61,780 a year, or about $29.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $51,810 and $80,670.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $61,780 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $50,484 a year ($4,207 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,336 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $48,864 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #26 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $85,050
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $57,280
- Security Guard — $38,290
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $34,830