Firefighter Salary in Seattle, WA
Firefighters in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $101,090 a year — 71% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $79,947 take-home, or $6,662 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,410
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,268
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,466
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$79,947
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Firefighter pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,360 | $35.27 | $60,439 | $5,037 |
| 25th percentile | $91,210 | $43.85 | $72,996 | $6,083 |
| Median (50th) | $101,090 | $48.60 | $79,947 | $6,662 |
| 75th percentile | $119,770 | $57.58 | $93,088 | $7,757 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,000 | $59.62 | $96,020 | $8,002 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,090 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $79,947 take-home pay has the buying power of $71,938 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 Seattle, WA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #1 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 Seattle, WA?
The median firefighter salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $101,090 a year, or about $48.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $91,210 and $119,770.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $101,090 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $79,947 a year ($6,662 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 71% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $71,938 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #1 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 30% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $115,120
- Security Guard — $47,490
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $42,170
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $39,240