Firefighter Salary in Washington, DC
Firefighters in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $66,980 a year — 13% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $53,043 take-home, or $4,420 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,906
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,153
- Medicare (1.45%)$971
- District of Columbia income tax$2,907
- Take-home pay$53,043
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. 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 Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,360 | $23.25 | $39,302 | $3,275 |
| 25th percentile | $59,080 | $28.40 | $47,257 | $3,938 |
| Median (50th) | $66,980 | $32.20 | $53,043 | $4,420 |
| 75th percentile | $83,570 | $40.18 | $63,487 | $5,291 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,770 | $47.49 | $72,888 | $6,074 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $66,980 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $53,043 take-home pay has the buying power of $48,715 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #27 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 |
| 27 | Washington, DC | $66,980 | $53,043 | $48,715 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median firefighter salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $66,980 a year, or about $32.20 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,080 and $83,570.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $66,980 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $53,043 a year ($4,420 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,907 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 13% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $48,715 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #27 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 45% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $156,750
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $125,960
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $118,570
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $84,000
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $73,490
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $70,570
- Security Guard — $46,830
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $34,710