SOC 33-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Firefighters — Lakeland
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL · 10 metro areas compared
In Lakeland, FL the median wage is $48,560.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Lakeland, FL the median wage is $48,560. That is 18.1% lower than the national median of $59,280. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $47,000 and $59,170. The lowest tenth earn under $36,190, while the highest tenth earn more than $76,360.
Employment stands at 560, or 2.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Miami leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $75,710. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 233rd of 429 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,190 | −39.0% |
| 25th | $47,000 | −20.7% |
| Median (50th) | $48,560 | −18.1% |
| 75th | $59,170 | −0.2% |
| 90th | $76,360 | +28.8% |
| Mean | $53,580 | −9.6% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami | $75,710 | 6,600 | |
| 2 | Port St. Lucie | $72,760 | 600 | |
| 3 | North Port | $62,120 | 650 | |
| 4 | Cape Coral | $60,000 | 930 | |
| 5 | Naples | $59,850 | 520 | |
| 6 | Tampa | $59,660 | 3,220 | |
| 7 | Sebastian | $59,010 | 230 | |
| 8 | Jacksonville | $58,940 | 2,060 | |
| 9 | Crestview | $56,620 | 440 | |
| 10 | Gainesville | $49,380 | 550 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lakeland run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $48,560 buys what $46,963 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 20.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,560as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,963US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,560 a year, 18.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,190 to $76,360 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 560 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Miami, at $75,710.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Firefighters in Lakeland, FL?
The median annual wage is $48,560, or $23.35 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,280, so pay in Lakeland, FL is 18.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Lakeland, FL earns more than $76,360 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,190 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Miami, at $75,710 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 560 jobs in this occupation in Lakeland, FL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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