Firefighter Salary in Tucson, AZ
Firefighters in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median $47,960 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,726 take-home, or $3,310 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Tucson, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,575
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,974
- Medicare (1.45%)$695
- Arizona income tax$990
- Take-home pay$39,726
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Tucson, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,510 | $17.07 | $30,033 | $2,503 |
| 25th percentile | $36,680 | $17.63 | $30,944 | $2,579 |
| Median (50th) | $47,960 | $23.06 | $39,726 | $3,310 |
| 75th percentile | $56,370 | $27.10 | $46,273 | $3,856 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,180 | $34.70 | $58,013 | $4,834 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,960 buys in Tucson, AZ
Prices in Tucson, AZ are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $39,726 take-home pay has the buying power of $40,998 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 Tucson, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.95).
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Tucson, AZ ranks #98 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 |
| 98 | Tucson, AZ | $47,960 | $39,726 | $40,998 |
*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 Arizona
- Phoenix, AZ — $61,780
- Lake Havasu City, AZ — $54,810
- Prescott Valley, AZ — $49,240
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Tucson, AZ?
The median firefighter salary in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $47,960 a year, or about $23.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,680 and $56,370.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Tucson, AZ?
On the median $47,960 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $39,726 a year ($3,310 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $990 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $40,998 would in a typical U.S. city. Tucson, AZ ranks #98 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tucson, AZ is $1,081 a month ($1,402 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $105,350
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $101,570
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $76,970
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $54,970
- Security Guard — $36,250
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $35,860