Illinois ranks 6th of 50 states and D.C. for firefighters pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($93,490) by $14,410 — a 18% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $33,760 to $117,060 — a $83,300 spread, 25% wider than the national $66,840 range.
Illinois employs roughly 4.4% of all firefighters in the country (14,510 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $33,760 | $16.23 |
| 25th percentile | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,080 | $38.02 |
| 75th percentile | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,060 | $56.28 |
| Mean (average) | $76,650 | $36.85 |
How Illinois Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois (current) | $79,080 | n/a |
| Washington | $93,490 | +18% |
| New York | $88,380 | +12% |
| New Jersey | $87,660 | +11% |
| California | $83,400 | +5% |
| District of Columbia | $79,430 | +0% |
| Connecticut | $77,660 | -2% |
| Colorado | $76,560 | -3% |
| Oregon | $73,270 | -7% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Illinois
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,870 | 2,450 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,300 | 54,690 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $79,320 | 5,580 |
| Compliance Officers | $79,350 | 10,190 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $78,750 | 12,210 |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $78,730 | 1,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Firefighters salary in Illinois?
The mean firefighters salary in Illinois is $76,650 per year. The median (middle) salary is $79,080 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Firefighters in Illinois?
Entry-level firefighterss (10th percentile) in Illinois typically earn around $33,760 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $45,760 per year.
What is the highest Firefighters salary in Illinois?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Illinois make approximately $117,060 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $107,120 per year.
How does the Illinois Firefighters salary compare to the national average?
The median firefighters salary in Illinois is $79,080, which is +33% above national average of $59,530.