Firefighters Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$29,360
- 25th Percentile — Junior$34,010
- 50th Percentile — Median$37,940
- 75th Percentile — Senior$47,690
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$61,940
Half of Firefighters in North Carolina earn more than $37,940. The top 10% make $61,940 or more, while entry-level workers start around $29,360.
Firefighters in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 46th of 50 states for Firefighters pay, at $43,060 per year (32.3% below the U.S. average of $63,630).
- 19,410 people work as Firefighters in North Carolina — 5.6% of all U.S. Firefighters jobs.
- Location quotient 1.77: Firefighters jobs are more concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,360; the top 10% earn over $61,940.
- Hourly equivalent: $20.7 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $95,090.
- Among public safety jobs in North Carolina, First-Line Supervisors of Police pays the most ($91,280).
Firefighters Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Firefighters here earn $43,060 on average, placing the state 46th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $43,060 is roughly equivalent to $47,319 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Minnesota ($45,170), South Carolina ($43,900), Arkansas ($43,380) are the closest alternatives for Firefighters weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $91,280/yr North Carolina +112.0% vs this role
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $76,020/yr North Carolina +76.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $69,510/yr North Carolina +61.4% vs this role
- Police Officers $61,390/yr North Carolina +42.6% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $61,350/yr North Carolina +42.5% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,390/yr North Carolina +19.3% vs this role
- Security Guards $39,090/yr North Carolina 9.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Firefighters salary in North Carolina?
The average Firefighters salary in North Carolina is $43,060 per year (median $37,940), which is 32.3% below the national average of $63,630.
How does North Carolina rank for Firefighters pay?
North Carolina ranks 46th out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is California ($95,090/yr).
How much do entry-level Firefighters make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Firefighters in North Carolina earn about $29,360 per year and the 25th percentile is $34,010.
How much do Firefighters make per hour in North Carolina?
About $20.7 per hour, based on the $43,060 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Firefighters work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 19,410 Firefighters jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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