Firefighter Salary in Virginia Beach, VA
Firefighters in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median $56,940 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,471 take-home, or $3,789 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Virginia Beach, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,653
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,530
- Medicare (1.45%)$826
- Virginia income tax$2,460
- Take-home pay$45,471
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
The Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro spans Virginia, North Carolina. 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 Virginia Beach, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,840 | $18.67 | $31,969 | $2,664 |
| 25th percentile | $46,790 | $22.50 | $37,899 | $3,158 |
| Median (50th) | $56,940 | $27.38 | $45,471 | $3,789 |
| 75th percentile | $64,210 | $30.87 | $50,895 | $4,241 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,460 | $36.76 | $59,037 | $4,920 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $56,940 buys in Virginia Beach, VA
Prices in Virginia Beach, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $45,471 take-home pay has the buying power of $46,427 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Virginia Beach, VA has 1.7× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Virginia Beach, VA ranks #28 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 |
| 28 | Virginia Beach, VA | $56,940 | $45,471 | $46,427 |
*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 Virginia Beach, VA?
The median firefighter salary in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $56,940 a year, or about $27.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,790 and $64,210.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Virginia Beach, VA?
On the median $56,940 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $45,471 a year ($3,789 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,460 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Virginia Beach, VA a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $46,427 would in a typical U.S. city. Virginia Beach, VA ranks #28 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Virginia Beach, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Virginia Beach, VA is $1,508 a month ($1,708 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach, VA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $59,690
- Security Guard — $37,230