Fire Chief
Overtime 6%- Median base
- $148,000
- Entry step
- $128,000
- 90th percentile
- $175,000
Atlanta and Fulton County chiefs lead state compensation managing large urban departments.
View fire chief salaryGeorgia salary guideUpdated Jan 1, 2025
Georgia Firefighter Salary (2025)
Georgia firefighters earn varied compensation with Atlanta metro leading at $76K average. Statewide median $60,388 reflects mix of high-paying urban departments (Atlanta, Gwinnett, Fulton) and smaller municipalities. Strong IAFF presence across major metros.
Median base pay
$60,388
+3.5% YoY
Average overtime
$9,800
From 9,200+ active personnel
Quick facts
- $76,354 per yearAtlanta metro average
- $2,000 hiring bonusGwinnett County incentive
- $43K-$76K by locationStatewide range
- $60,388Median base salary
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 9%- Median base
- $98,000
- Entry step
- $85,000
- 90th percentile
- $118,000
Command positions in metro Atlanta area offer premium pay compared to rural Georgia.
View battalion chief salaryCaptain
Overtime 12%- Median base
- $79,000
- Entry step
- $68,000
- 90th percentile
- $95,000
Company officers with leadership duties. Atlanta metro pays 20-30% above rural areas.
View captain salaryEngineer
Overtime 13%- Median base
- $66,000
- Entry step
- $57,000
- 90th percentile
- $79,000
Apparatus operators with specialized certifications. Gwinnett County offers competitive packages.
View engineer salaryFirefighter / Paramedic
Overtime 14%- Median base
- $60,388
- Entry step
- $43,000
- 90th percentile
- $76,000
Atlanta averages $76,354. Fulton County and Gwinnett offer $2K hiring bonuses. Rural areas start $43K-$48K.
View firefighter / paramedic salaryProbationary Firefighter
Overtime 8%- Median base
- $46,000
- Entry step
- $43,000
- 90th percentile
- $56,000
Entry-level with academy training. Atlanta metro starts higher than state average.
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.
Atlanta · Atlanta Fire Rescue
1,100+ career
$87,000 total comp
Average base pay$76,354
Overtime share 12% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
Gwinnett County · Gwinnett County Fire & EMS
750+ career
$78,000 total comp
Average base pay$68,000
Overtime share 13% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
Fulton County · Fulton County Fire Rescue
500+ career
$80,000 total comp
Average base pay$70,000
Overtime share 12% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
DeKalb County · DeKalb County Fire Rescue
600+ career
$74,000 total comp
Average base pay$65,000
Overtime share 12% · 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 | Atlanta Fire Rescue | Atlanta | $108,000 | $11,000 | $119,000 | Competitive metro Atlanta compensation |
| Captain | Gwinnett County Fire & EMS | Gwinnett County | $85,000 | $10,000 | $95,000 | $2,000 hiring incentive for new firemedics |
| Engineer | Fulton County Fire Rescue | Fulton County | $72,000 | $9,000 | $81,000 | Strong metro Atlanta benefits package |
| Firefighter / Paramedic | Atlanta Fire Rescue | Atlanta | $76,354 | $10,000 | $86,354 | Highest average in Georgia |
| Firefighter / Paramedic | DeKalb County Fire Rescue | DeKalb County | $65,000 | $9,000 | $74,000 | Competitive metro Atlanta department |
Contract updates & budget highlights
Track adjustments that influence upcoming negotiations and pay plan refreshes.
Regional variation
Metro Atlanta Premium Compensation
Atlanta metro area (Atlanta, Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb counties) pays 20-40% above rural Georgia due to cost of living and competition. Atlanta Fire Rescue averages $76,354 - highest in state. Gwinnett County offers $2,000 hiring bonus for new firemedic employees. Strong IAFF representation across all major metros ensuring competitive wages.
Current recruitment program
Gwinnett County Hiring Incentive
$2,000 Hiring Firemedic Incentive paid within first year of employment for new Gwinnett County employees only. Additional benefits include comprehensive healthcare, pension system, and career advancement opportunities. Department serves 950,000+ residents across rapidly growing suburban Atlanta region.
Statewide retirement system
Georgia Firefighter Pension Fund
Georgia firefighters covered under local pension systems with defined benefits. Most metro departments offer 20-25 year retirement eligibility. Healthcare benefits include medical, dental, vision. Standard 24/48 schedules common. IAFF locals throughout state negotiate contracts ensuring wage growth and benefits protection.
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 Georgia firefighters?
Entry-level firefighter salaries in Georgia range from $43,000-$48,000 in rural areas to $54,000-$62,000 in metro Atlanta. Atlanta Fire Rescue offers competitive starting pay around $56,000-$60,000. Gwinnett County provides $2,000 hiring bonus for new firemedics. Statewide median is $60,388. Atlanta metro departments pay 20-40% above state average due to cost of living.
How much do Atlanta firefighters earn?
Atlanta firefighters average $76,354 per year - the highest in Georgia. Total compensation with overtime typically reaches $85,000-$95,000. Atlanta Fire Rescue serves 1,100+ career personnel protecting the state capital and major metro area. Strong IAFF representation ensures competitive contracts. Cost of living in Atlanta is moderate compared to other major US metros, making compensation competitive.
What are the benefits for Georgia firefighters?
Georgia firefighters receive comprehensive benefits including defined benefit pensions (20-25 year retirement eligibility in most departments), healthcare (medical/dental/vision) for employee and family, paid vacation and sick leave, and educational assistance programs. Gwinnett County offers $2,000 hiring bonus. Most departments provide specialty pay for certifications (paramedic, hazmat, technical rescue) and operate 24/48 shift schedules.
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.
- Glassdoor Atlanta Firefighter Salaries · 2025 Salary Data
- Gwinnett County Fire & EMS Salary Information · Official Department Data 2025
- ZipRecruiter Georgia Firefighter Salaries · 2024-2025 Survey Data
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