How much does a firefighter make in North Carolina?
$37,940a year
Median yearly pay for firefighters in North Carolina. That is $18.24 an hour or $3,162 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.24
- Vs. national median
- -36%
- Rank among states
- 46 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 19,410
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $29,360Median: $37,940Highest 10%: $61,940
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,360 | $14.12 | |
| 25th | $34,010 | $16.35 | |
| Median | $37,940 | $18.24 | |
| 75th | $47,690 | $22.93 | |
| 90th | $61,940 | $29.78 |
Cities in North Carolina
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Virginia Beach, VA | $56,940 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $47,870 |
| Greensboro, NC | $46,600 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $46,210 |
| Raleigh, NC | $45,640 |
| Charlotte, NC | $38,700 |
| Durham, NC | $38,350 |
| Asheville, NC | $37,450 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $36,820 |
| Burlington, NC | $36,520 |
| Hickory, NC | $36,340 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $35,730 |
| Wilmington, NC | $35,580 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $35,500 |
| Greenville, NC | $34,430 |
| Pinehurst, NC | $34,200 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for firefighters.
| 43. New Mexico | $41,590 |
| 44. Arkansas | $39,690 |
| 45. Minnesota | $38,110 |
| 46. North Carolina | $37,940 |
| 47. West Virginia | $37,350 |
| 48. Kentucky | $37,150 |
| 49. Mississippi | $35,880 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make an hour in North Carolina?
The median hourly pay in North Carolina is $18.24 ($37,940 a year).
Do firefighters make more in North Carolina than the national average?
No: $37,940 against $59,280 nationally, 36% less.
Where does North Carolina rank for firefighter pay?
North Carolina ranks 46 of 50 states.
Which city in North Carolina pays firefighters the most?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC, with a median of $56,940 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.