Firefighter Salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Firefighters in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median $33,260 a year — 44% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,293 take-home, or $2,358 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Baton Rouge, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,811
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,062
- Medicare (1.45%)$482
- Louisiana income tax$612
- Take-home pay$28,293
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Baton Rouge, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,800 | $11.44 | $20,882 | $1,740 |
| 25th percentile | $27,510 | $13.23 | $23,825 | $1,985 |
| Median (50th) | $33,260 | $15.99 | $28,293 | $2,358 |
| 75th percentile | $38,970 | $18.74 | $32,710 | $2,726 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,580 | $23.84 | $40,916 | $3,410 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,260 buys in Baton Rouge, LA
Prices in Baton Rouge, LA are 9.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 26% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $28,293 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,166 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 Baton Rouge, LA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Baton Rouge, LA ranks #131 of 133 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $152,100 | $103,333 | $93,580 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | $89,120 | $67,308 | $69,365 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $83,310 | $67,439 | $67,206 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $81,360 | $66,067 | $65,404 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 131 | Baton Rouge, LA | $33,260 | $28,293 | $31,166 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 133 metros →
Firefighter salaries elsewhere in Louisiana
- Shreveport, LA — $37,620
- New Orleans, LA — $37,250
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median firefighter salary in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $33,260 a year, or about $15.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,510 and $38,970.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Baton Rouge, LA?
On the median $33,260 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $28,293 a year ($2,358 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $612 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Baton Rouge, LA a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 44% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 9.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,166 would in a typical U.S. city. Baton Rouge, LA ranks #131 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Baton Rouge, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Baton Rouge, LA is $1,048 a month ($1,187 for two bedrooms) — 44% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $74,450
- First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers — $62,100
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $48,710
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $44,920
- Security Guard — $36,500