SOC 33-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Firefighters — Southwestern Pennsylvania
Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA is $35,140 a year, 40.7% under the national median of $59,280 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA is $35,140 a year, 40.7% under the national median of $59,280 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $35,140 and $40,110. The lowest tenth earn under $34,820, while the highest tenth earn more than $45,990.
Within the state, Erie records the highest median at $80,280. Of the 364 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 317th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,820 | −41.3% |
| 25th | $35,140 | −40.7% |
| Median (50th) | $35,140 | −40.7% |
| 75th | $40,110 | −32.3% |
| 90th | $45,990 | −22.4% |
| Mean | $38,330 | −35.3% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erie | $80,280 | 140 | |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $78,050 | 3,970 | |
| 3 | Reading | $74,760 | 160 | |
| 4 | Allentown | $73,020 | 300 | |
| 5 | Pittsburgh | $72,230 | 950 | |
| 6 | York | $67,570 | 110 | |
| 7 | Harrisburg | $62,760 | 140 | |
| 8 | Scranton | $60,410 | 190 | |
| 9 | Lebanon | $60,320 | 40 | |
| 10 | Chambersburg | $59,050 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwestern Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $35,140 goes as far as $36,004 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 39.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$35,140as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,004US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $35,140 a year, 40.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,820 to $45,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Erie, at $80,280.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Firefighters in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $35,140, or $16.89 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 Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA is 40.7% 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 Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $45,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,820 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 Erie, at $80,280 per year.
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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