Firefighter Salary in Worcester, MA
Firefighters in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median $66,310 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,365 take-home, or $4,364 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$5,777
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,111
- Medicare (1.45%)$961
- Massachusetts income tax$3,096
- Take-home pay$52,365
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Worcester, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,900 | $21.59 | $36,232 | $3,019 |
| 25th percentile | $57,190 | $27.50 | $45,493 | $3,791 |
| Median (50th) | $66,310 | $31.88 | $52,365 | $4,364 |
| 75th percentile | $82,060 | $39.45 | $62,676 | $5,223 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,060 | $39.45 | $62,676 | $5,223 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $66,310 buys in Worcester, MA
Prices in Worcester, MA are 2.5% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $52,365 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,076 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Worcester, MA has 1.8× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Worcester, MA ranks #50 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 |
| 50 | Worcester, MA | $66,310 | $52,365 | $51,076 |
*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 Massachusetts
- Barnstable Town, MA — $74,870
- Springfield, MA — $66,720
- Boston, MA — $73,990
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Worcester, MA?
The median firefighter salary in the Worcester, MA metro area is $66,310 a year, or about $31.88 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $57,190 and $82,060.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Worcester, MA?
On the median $66,310 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $52,365 a year ($4,364 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,096 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Worcester, MA a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 2.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,076 would in a typical U.S. city. Worcester, MA ranks #50 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Worcester, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Worcester, MA is $1,558 a month ($1,997 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $91,980
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $87,950
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $80,210
- Security Guard — $38,430