Average Firefighter Salary in TexasNo State Income Tax
Firefighters in Texas earn an average of $54,635 per year across 5 metro areas. This is +4.4% lower than the national average.
Average Salary
$54,635
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.26
per hour
vs National
-4.4%
$57,120 national
Salary Range
$35,361
to $79,533
About Firefighter Careers in Texas
Firefighters respond to fires, accidents, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and other hazardous situations to protect lives and property. They are among the most highly respected public servants in the United States, combining physical courage with technical expertise in fire suppression, emergency medical response, and hazardous materials handling. Beyond fighting fires, modern firefighters spend the majority of their shifts on medical calls, public education, and equipment maintenance.
In Texas, firefighters earn an average of $54,635 per year as of 2026, with salaries ranging from $35,361 for entry-level roles to $79,533 for the most experienced professionals — +4.4% below the national average. Pay is influenced most by paramedic vs. emt certification — paramedics typically earn a 10–20% pay premium, department type — federal firefighters (blm, forest service) and large urban departments pay the most, and the specific metro area within Texas.
What Firefighters Really Earn in Texas: Large-City Departments, No Income Tax, and Competitive Take-Home
Texas employs more firefighters than almost any other state — Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data consistently ranks it among the top three states for total firefighter employment. While Texas nominal wages sit near or slightly below the national median, the state's zero income tax and generally lower cost of living mean a Texas firefighter's real take-home pay is more competitive with higher-gross states than the headline numbers suggest. The salary figures on this page reflect the most recent BLS release, reviewed for the 2025–2026 period.
Three forces shape Texas firefighter compensation. First, Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio host some of the nation's busiest urban fire departments, and competition for experienced personnel in these metros keeps wages above the state average. The Houston Fire Department — one of the largest in the country, serving the fourth-most-populous city in the United States — is the state's benchmark employer; Dallas Fire-Rescue, Fort Worth Fire Dept., Austin Fire Dept., and San Antonio Fire Dept. follow closely. Second, specialized assignments add meaningful pay on top of base rates: hazmat technicians, Urban Search and Rescue team members (Texas Task Force 1, a FEMA USAR team based in College Station), fire investigators, and paramedic-firefighters routinely earn premium pay steps. Third, overtime under the FLSA '7(k)' firefighter provision is a routine part of the job — most Texas departments run 24/48 or 24/72 shift cycles, and overtime frequently adds several thousand dollars annually to the published base wage.
Pay varies significantly across the state. Houston metro firefighters typically earn the most, with DFW suburbs and Austin following closely; San Antonio and El Paso sit near the state average; smaller cities and rural areas pay less in nominal base wages, though lower housing costs partially offset the gap. All career firefighters in Texas must hold a Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Basic Structure Firefighting certificate at minimum. EMT, paramedic, and specialty certifications — hazmat operations, technical rescue, wildland interface — unlock additional pay steps at most departments. Most municipal firefighters participate in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) or a city-specific defined-benefit pension, providing a guaranteed monthly retirement income that materially raises total career earnings well beyond any annual salary comparison.
Cost of Living Adjusted Salary
Nominal Salary
$54,635
Cost of Living Index
93
100 = national average
Adjusted Salary
$58,747
purchasing power equivalent
After adjusting for Texas's cost of living (below average), a Firefighter's salary of $54,635 has the purchasing power of $58,747 in an average-cost area. Additionally, Texas has no state income tax, further increasing take-home pay.
Firefighter Salary by City in Texas
| City | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | Entry Level (P10) | Senior (P90) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $59,560 | $28.63/hr | $39,425 | $83,335 | 318 |
| Dallas, TX | $58,012 | $27.89/hr | $38,136 | $83,297 | 288 |
| Houston, TX | $56,315 | $27.07/hr | $36,879 | $84,868 | 372 |
| San Antonio, TX | $51,195 | $24.61/hr | $32,068 | $76,507 | 289 |
| El Paso, TX | $48,093 | $23.12/hr | $30,297 | $69,660 | 242 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS Survey, 2026. Sorted by median salary (highest first).
Texas vs National Average
Firefighter Salary Comparison
Employment in Texas
There are approximately 1,509 Firefighters employed across 5 metro areas in Texas.
Key Industries: Energy & Oil, Technology, Healthcare
State Income Tax: None (tax-free state)
Firefighter Salary Range in Texas
Entry Level (10th Percentile)
$35,361
Starting salary for new Firefighters
Median (50th Percentile)
$54,635
Mid-career Firefighter salary
Senior (90th Percentile)
$79,533
Top earners in the field
Related Occupations in Texas
Firefighter Salary in Neighboring States
Compare Firefighter salaries in Texas with nearby states to find the best opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Texas firefighters earn more than their base salary?
Usually, yes. The figures on this page reflect BLS base wages, but most Texas firefighters work 24/48 or 24/72 shift schedules under the FLSA '7(k)' overtime provision, so overtime pay is routine and can add several thousand dollars per year above the published median. Specialty certifications — paramedic, hazmat technician, technical rescue — unlock additional premium pay steps at most departments. Total annual compensation including overtime, shift differentials, and certifications typically runs higher than the base salary shown.
Is Texas worth considering compared to higher-paying states like California for firefighters?
It can be, especially after accounting for taxes and cost of living. Texas has no state income tax — for a firefighter earning $60,000, that is roughly $3,000–$6,000 per year more in take-home pay compared to earning the same gross salary in a state charging 5–10% state income tax. Housing and everyday living costs are generally lower in Texas metros than in coastal California cities. While California's nominal firefighter wages are higher, a Texas firefighter's real purchasing power is closer to California's than the raw salary gap implies.
Which Texas cities pay firefighters the most?
Houston and the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area generally pay the highest firefighter salaries in Texas, driven by department size, budget, and cost of living. Austin Fire Dept. and San Antonio Fire Dept. follow closely. Fort Worth, El Paso, and mid-size Texas cities tend to track near the state average. Smaller municipalities and rural fire departments typically pay the least in base wages, though total compensation varies by overtime opportunity and any county or city pension contribution.
What certification is required to become a career firefighter in Texas?
Every career firefighter in Texas must hold a Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Basic Structure Firefighting certificate, which requires completing a TCFP-approved recruit training program (typically 240–400+ hours) and passing the state certification exam. Most major departments also require EMT-Basic certification at hire, and many prefer or require paramedic certification for promoted or specialized positions. Additional specialty certifications — hazmat operations, technical rescue, wildland interface — can unlock higher pay steps once hired.
What is the average Firefighter salary in Texas?
The average Firefighter salary in Texas is $54,635 per year ($26.26/hour) based on 2026 data across 5 metro areas. This is 4.4% below the national average of $57,120.
What is the highest paying city for Firefighters in Texas?
Austin, TX is the highest paying city for Firefighters in Texas, with a median salary of $59,560 per year. The lowest paying metro area is El Paso, TX at $48,093.
What is the salary range for Firefighters in Texas?
Firefighter salaries in Texas range from $35,361 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,533 (experienced, 90th percentile). The median salary is $54,635 per year.
About This Data
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. State-level averages are calculated from metro area data within Texas. Figures represent 2026 estimates and may not reflect all employers or self-employed workers. Cost of living adjustments use regional indices to provide purchasing power context.