Battalion Chief Salary (2025)
Battalion Chiefs command multiple stations, manage daily staffing, and lead major incidents. Compensation includes executive differentials and deployment stipends.
- $129,900Median total comp
- 24-hour shift with duty carShift pattern
- 4–8 stationsSpan of control
- Assessment center + ICS task booksPromotion exams
Where Battalion Chiefs earn the most
Coastal metros with strong union contracts, specialty team incentives, and cost-of-living adjustments lead compensation. Use these comparables to inform negotiations and career moves.
Top-paying states pair higher base wages with large overtime budgets. Consider total compensation, not just salary, when benchmarking offers.
90th percentile $171,000
Los Angeles County · Constant staffing and wildfire deployments boost pay.
View state ladder90th percentile $138,700
Houston-The Woodlands · Meet-and-confer agreements add longevity multipliers.
View state ladder90th percentile $148,800
Chicago-Naperville · Strong union contracts and pension benefits.
View state ladderSalary by state
Compare compensation across leading states. Bars show median base pay; hover notes capture overtime share and hiring highlights.
Shift commander stipends · duty vehicle provided
Meet-and-confer includes 5% merit pay
Rotation between field command and staff roles
Hurricane deployment stipend $400/day
Executive leave bank + housing stipend
Relief Fund stipend $1,200 for volunteer oversight
Career responsibilities
Shift commander / multiple stations
- Lead shift operations across multiple stations, ensuring staffing, coverage, and apparatus readiness.
- Command multi-company incidents, manage tactical benchmarks, and coordinate mutual aid.
- Review after-action reports, training compliance, and performance evaluations for company officers.
- Serve on command staff, assisting with budgeting, policy, and strategic planning.
Frequently asked questions
Use these talking points during budget presentations, union briefings, or career counseling sessions.
Do battalion chiefs earn overtime?
Most remain FLSA overtime eligible due to 56-hour workweeks, but some large departments move chiefs to straight-time with executive leave banks.
Is a degree required?
Many agencies require a bachelor's in fire administration, emergency management, or related fields, plus Executive Fire Officer or National Fire Academy coursework.
How do battalion chiefs rotate assignments?
Rotation between field command, training, special operations, and administrative assignments is common every 2–3 years to broaden experience.
Sources & citations
Each data point references an official contract, pay plan, or survey. Cite these documents when validating compensation budgets.
- Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief MOU · Ratified Nov 2024
- Houston Fire Department Staffing Plan · Updated Dec 2024
- Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 Contract · Amended Sep 2024
Get the Battalion Chief compensation toolkit
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- ✓Printable salary chart with percentile and overtime benchmarks
- ✓Promotion checklist with certification timelines
- ✓Overtime planning worksheet for budget presentations
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