Fire Chief
Overtime 5%- Median base
- $158,000
- Entry step
- $138,000
- 90th percentile
- $188,000
Denver and Aurora chiefs command premium salaries managing large Front Range departments.
View fire chief salaryColorado salary guideUpdated Jan 1, 2025
Colorado Firefighter Salary (2025)
Colorado firefighters earn strong Rocky Mountain compensation with Denver leading at $70K+ average. Aurora approved 11% raises for 2023-2024. South Metro Fire Rescue offers $91K-$131K ranges. Statewide median $62,677 reflects mountain/metro mix with excellent IAFF contracts.
Median base pay
$62,677
+4.5% YoY
Average overtime
$10,800
From 7,200+ active personnel
Quick facts
- $34.03/hr academy, $91K-$131KSouth Metro Fire wage
- 11% total increaseAurora 2023-2024 raises
- 10% over 2026-2027Denver contract gains
- $62,677 medianStatewide average
Salary snapshot by rank
Promotions add education incentives, specialty pay, and overtime opportunities. Use these benchmarks when budgeting for recruitment, retention, or union negotiations.
Analyst note
Overtime share rises rapidly for mid-career officers due to constant staffing and deployment rosters. Include projected overtime when evaluating total compensation.
Battalion Chief
Overtime 8%- Median base
- $108,000
- Entry step
- $94,000
- 90th percentile
- $128,000
Command positions with strong union contracts providing substantial raises in 2023-2024.
View battalion chief salaryCaptain
Overtime 10%- Median base
- $88,000
- Entry step
- $76,000
- 90th percentile
- $105,000
Company officers benefiting from recent contract improvements across Front Range metros.
View captain salaryEngineer
Overtime 12%- Median base
- $74,000
- Entry step
- $64,000
- 90th percentile
- $88,000
Apparatus operators with mountain rescue and wildland firefighting capabilities.
View engineer salaryFirefighter / Paramedic
Overtime 14%- Median base
- $62,677
- Entry step
- $52,000
- 90th percentile
- $95,000
South Metro Fire $91,785-$131,122 range. Aurora 11% raises (2023-2024). Denver 10% increases (2026-2027). Academy pay $34.03/hour.
View firefighter / paramedic salaryProbationary Firefighter
Overtime 8%- Median base
- $50,000
- Entry step
- $45,000
- 90th percentile
- $60,000
South Metro Fire academy: $34.03/hour. Entry-level with mountain/wildland training requirements.
View probationary firefighter salaryTop cities by firefighter pay
Metro departments with specialty teams and higher cost-of-living deliver the largest base pay. Bars below represent average base wages, with notes on overtime share.
Denver · Denver Fire Department
950+ career
$83,000 total comp
Average base pay$72,000
Overtime share 13% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
Aurora · Aurora Fire Rescue
350+ career
$81,000 total comp
Average base pay$70,000
Overtime share 14% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
Colorado Springs · Colorado Springs Fire Department
500+ career
$75,000 total comp
Average base pay$65,000
Overtime share 13% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
South Metro · South Metro Fire Rescue
450+ career
$110,000 total comp
Average base pay$95,850
Overtime share 13% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
Detailed compensation table
Compare rank-by-rank compensation, including overtime trends and hiring notes that impact career planning.
| Rank | Department | City | Base pay | Overtime | Total comp | Hiring / promotion note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battalion Chief | Denver Fire Department | Denver | $118,000 | $10,000 | $128,000 | IAFF Local 858: 10% raise over 2026-2027 |
| Captain | Aurora Fire Rescue | Aurora | $95,000 | $11,000 | $106,000 | 11% raises approved for 2023-2024 |
| Engineer | Colorado Springs Fire Department | Colorado Springs | $78,000 | $9,000 | $87,000 | Official salary structure available on city website |
| Firefighter / Paramedic | South Metro Fire Rescue | South Metro | $111,454 | $12,000 | $123,454 | Grade IV-I range: $91,785-$131,122. Academy $34.03/hr |
| Firefighter / Paramedic | Denver Fire Department | Denver | $72,000 | $10,000 | $82,000 | Tentative agreement: 5% raises in 2026 and 2027 |
| Probationary Firefighter | South Metro Fire Rescue | South Metro | $70,783 | $4,000 | $74,783 | 2025 academy wage: $34.03/hour |
Contract updates & budget highlights
Track adjustments that influence upcoming negotiations and pay plan refreshes.
Tentative agreement reached
Denver Firefighters Contract (2026-2027)
Denver firefighters (IAFF Local 858) reached tentative contract agreement calling for cumulative 5% salary increases in 2026 and 2027, totaling 10% over two years. Agreement includes slight increase in longevity pay for firefighters. Local 858 supports members in Denver, Englewood, Glendale, Sheridan, and Skyline providing fire, rescue, and emergency medical services.
Approved by City Council
Aurora Fire Rescue Raises (2023-2024)
Aurora firefighters received raises amounting to approximately 11% spread across 2023 and 2024 per collective bargaining agreement with IAFF. Contract approved unanimously by City Council. Covers firefighters through captain rank with additional pay raise for paramedic certification. Addresses competitive pressures from neighboring Front Range departments.
2025 wage structure
South Metro Fire Rescue Premium Compensation
South Metro Fire Rescue offers 2025 academy wage of $34.03/hour. Firefighter salaries range from Grade IV through Grade I: $91,785-$131,122 annually - among highest in Colorado. Serves Douglas County and southern Denver metro. Department reputation for excellent training and competitive compensation attracts top talent across Front Range.
Frequently asked questions
Answers sourced from contracts, HR briefings, and state statutes to help HR partners, union stewards, and candidates understand compensation.
What is the starting salary for Colorado firefighters?
Entry-level firefighter salaries in Colorado range from $45,000-$52,000 depending on location. South Metro Fire Rescue pays $34.03/hour during academy ($70,783/year), advancing to $91,785-$131,122 based on grade. Denver starts around $60,000-$65,000 base. Aurora and Colorado Springs offer $55,000-$62,000. Statewide median is $62,677. Mountain resort towns may pay premium due to high cost of living.
How much did Colorado firefighters' salaries increase recently?
Colorado firefighters saw significant raises in 2023-2025: Aurora approved ~11% total increase across 2023-2024. Denver IAFF Local 858 secured tentative agreement for 5% raises in both 2026 and 2027 (10% cumulative) plus longevity pay increases. South Metro Fire maintains premium wage structure ($91K-$131K range). Statewide average increased 4.5% year-over-year to $62,677 median.
What benefits do Colorado firefighters receive?
Colorado firefighters participate in defined benefit pension systems (typically Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado - FPPA). Retirement eligibility usually 25 years of service. Comprehensive healthcare (medical/dental/vision) for employee and family. South Metro Fire and other departments offer educational assistance, specialty pay for paramedic certification (5-10% premium), and mountain/wildland training. Standard 24/48 or 48/96 schedules. Strong IAFF representation ensures contract protections.
Sources & methodology
We compile collective bargaining agreements, municipal pay plans, and state payroll disclosures. Each dataset is timestamped so you can cite the most recent update in labor talks.
- Denver Firefighters Contract Agreement · CBS Colorado 2024
- Aurora Fire Rescue Salary Increases · Denver Gazette 2023
- South Metro Fire Rescue Careers · Official Department Data 2025
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