North Carolina ranks 47th of 50 states and D.C. for firefighters pay, trailing top-paying Washington ($93,490) by $56,240 — a 151% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $28,360 to $64,140 — a $35,780 spread, 46% tighter than the national $66,840 range.
Firefighters are more concentrated in North Carolina than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.72 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.72× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $28,360 | $13.64 |
| 25th percentile | $31,300 | $15.05 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| 75th percentile | $48,860 | $23.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Mean (average) | $42,450 | $20.41 |
How North Carolina Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (current) | $37,250 | n/a |
| Washington | $93,490 | +151% |
| New York | $88,380 | +137% |
| New Jersey | $87,660 | +135% |
| California | $83,400 | +124% |
| District of Columbia | $79,430 | +113% |
| Illinois | $79,080 | +112% |
| Connecticut | $77,660 | +108% |
| Colorado | $76,560 | +106% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in North Carolina
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Orderlies | $37,200 | 2,040 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $37,200 | 17,760 |
| Sales and Related Workers, All Other | $37,340 | 1,070 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | $37,350 | 3,870 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,020 | 3,800 |
| Pest Control Workers | $37,530 | 4,550 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Firefighters salary in North Carolina?
The mean firefighters salary in North Carolina is $42,450 per year. The median (middle) salary is $37,250 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Firefighters in North Carolina?
Entry-level firefighterss (10th percentile) in North Carolina typically earn around $28,360 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $31,300 per year.
What is the highest Firefighters salary in North Carolina?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in North Carolina make approximately $64,140 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $48,860 per year.
How does the North Carolina Firefighters salary compare to the national average?
The median firefighters salary in North Carolina is $37,250, which is -37% below national average of $59,530.