Fire Captain Salary (2025)
Captains run station operations, supervise company officers, and serve as initial incident commanders. Compensation reflects broad leadership duties and specialty team oversight.
- $118,700Median total comp
- 2–3 companiesAverage crew span
- Administrative assignment +8%Top incentive
- Fire Officer II & management coursesTypical education
Where Fire Captains 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 $149,800
Los Angeles-Long Beach · Captains receive 12% specialty pay plus leadership stipends.
View state ladder90th percentile $129,700
Seattle-Tacoma · Strong union contracts with education bonuses.
90th percentile $132,400
Austin-Round Rock · High-growth metro budgets boost officer compensation.
View state ladderSalary by state
Compare compensation across leading states. Bars show median base pay; hover notes capture overtime share and hiring highlights.
Exam list #A412 expected May 2025
Promotional test April 2025 · leadership stipend
Education incentive $300/credit hour
Assessment center April 2025
Assessment center March 2025
Captain development academy 2025
Career responsibilities
Company commander / station leadership
- Command company-level operations, make tactical assignments, and maintain accountability at incidents.
- Oversee station administration, inspections, budget tracking, and apparatus readiness.
- Coach lieutenants and engineers, deliver annual evaluations, and coordinate training plans.
- Interface with city leadership, community stakeholders, and union representatives.
Frequently asked questions
Use these talking points during budget presentations, union briefings, or career counseling sessions.
Do captains stay in operations or move to staff roles?
Most captains rotate between line operations and staff assignments (training, prevention, logistics) which can include day schedules and specialty stipends.
What education helps captains promote?
Bachelor's degrees in fire administration or public management, Executive Fire Officer programs, and ICS position task books strengthen promotion bids.
Are captains eligible for overtime?
Captains remain overtime-eligible in most IAFF contracts; some day-staff positions convert to straight-time comp time or flex hours.
Sources & citations
Each data point references an official contract, pay plan, or survey. Cite these documents when validating compensation budgets.
- Los Angeles County Fire Captain Exam Bulletin · January 2025
- Seattle Fire Department Officer Development · Updated Dec 2024
- International City/County Management Association Salary Survey · 2024 Fire Leadership Addendum
Get the Fire Captain 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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