How much does a first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers make?
The median first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers in the United States earns $93,530 per year, about $44.96 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-1021.
First-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers salary range
Pay for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $53,430 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $140,010. The average (mean) wage of $96,930 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,430 | $25.69 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $72,140 | $34.68 | |
| Median (50th) | $93,530 | $44.96 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $119,500 | $57.45 | |
| 90th percentile | $140,010 | $67.31 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers (SOC 33-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
First-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers earn the most in New Jersey at $133,210 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $48,250. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $133,210 | 2,210 |
| New York | $132,520 | 4,100 |
| Washington | $129,350 | 3,350 |
| California | $127,630 | 8,170 |
| District of Columbia | $126,560 | 380 |
| Illinois | $123,500 | 3,240 |
| Maryland | $120,530 | 2,380 |
| Colorado | $102,580 | 1,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $101,050 | 1,340 |
| Utah | $100,380 | 770 |
| Oregon | $100,260 | 1,160 |
| Florida | $98,560 | 9,540 |
| Connecticut | $98,500 | 1,310 |
| Virginia | $97,780 | 3,300 |
| Massachusetts | $96,600 | 3,370 |
| Arizona | $96,470 | 2,670 |
| Nevada | $93,920 | 1,080 |
| New Hampshire | $93,720 | 450 |
| Alaska | $92,760 | 310 |
| Idaho | $92,630 | 520 |
| Indiana | $88,310 | 1,290 |
| Oklahoma | $85,310 | 2,000 |
| Rhode Island | $85,170 | 770 |
| Ohio | $84,490 | 3,960 |
| Wisconsin | $83,310 | 1,330 |
| Vermont | $83,250 | 90 |
| North Dakota | $82,880 | 130 |
| Montana | $82,820 | 320 |
| Texas | $81,710 | 8,660 |
| Nebraska | $80,810 | 370 |
| Wyoming | $80,260 | 150 |
| Kansas | $78,880 | 1,450 |
| Minnesota | $78,800 | 1,120 |
| Tennessee | $77,920 | 2,210 |
| Michigan | $77,550 | 1,830 |
| Iowa | $76,010 | 600 |
| Missouri | $75,970 | 1,950 |
| Maine | $74,790 | 410 |
| Delaware | $74,670 | N/A |
| Alabama | $73,320 | 1,440 |
| South Dakota | $72,420 | 120 |
| Georgia | $67,200 | 3,730 |
| South Carolina | $65,160 | 1,450 |
| Arkansas | $61,890 | 920 |
| Kentucky | $60,850 | 1,250 |
| Louisiana | $59,750 | 1,810 |
| North Carolina | $59,560 | 5,050 |
| New Mexico | $58,430 | 820 |
| West Virginia | $55,380 | 180 |
| Mississippi | $48,250 | 1,550 |
State median wages for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers (SOC 33-1021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers
The BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 101,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 105,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,600 openings a year for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers
The typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $133,210) and the lowest (Mississippi, $48,250) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 99,140 people work as first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers in the United States. At $93,530 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
First-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers salary FAQ
How much does a first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers is $44.96. The middle half of first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers earn between $34.68 and $57.45 per hour.
What is the highest first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers earn more than $140,010 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers make a year?
The median annual salary for a first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers is $93,530. The average (mean) wage of $96,930 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers a well paid job?
At $93,530 a year, a first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 99,140 people work as first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers in the United States.
Which state pays first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers at $133,210 a year. New York ($132,520) and Washington ($129,350) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers a good career?
Employment of first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers is projected to grow 3.7% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a first-line supervisor of firefighting and prevention workers?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Public Safety salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.