Fire Chief
Overtime 10%- Median base
- $178,900
- Entry step
- $165,400
- 90th percentile
- $195,200
FDNY chiefs receive executive benefits and borough command allowances.
View fire chief salaryNew York salary guideUpdated Jan 9, 2025
New York Firefighter Salary (2025)
FDNY sets the national standard for promotional pay scales and total compensation packages, with captains earning over $149,000 and widespread overtime opportunities pushing total earnings well above base pay.
Median base pay
$80,950
+4.5% YoY
Average overtime
$15,200
From 22 metro & municipal agencies
Quick facts
- New York-Newark-Jersey CityTop paying metro
- $105,146FDNY 5.5yr firefighter
- $149,163 totalCaptain w/ 22.5yrs
- 4,500+ with OTFirefighters earning $140K+
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 12%- Median base
- $161,281
- Entry step
- $148,600
- 90th percentile
- $175,400
Battalion chiefs on 22.5 years earn $161,281 including longevity and shift differentials.
View battalion chief salaryCaptain
Overtime 14%- Median base
- $149,163
- Entry step
- $132,400
- 90th percentile
- $164,800
FDNY captains with 22.5 years receive $149,163 base plus night/holiday pay.
View captain salaryLieutenant
Overtime 15%- Median base
- $125,848
- Entry step
- $115,400
- 90th percentile
- $138,200
Lieutenants receive $94,300 base plus $31,548 in supplemental compensation.
View lieutenant salaryFirefighter / Paramedic
Overtime 16%- Median base
- $105,146
- Entry step
- $94,300
- 90th percentile
- $118,400
FDNY firefighters at 5.5 years earn $105,146 excluding overtime and holiday pay.
View firefighter / paramedic salaryProbationary Firefighter
Overtime 8%- Median base
- $74,998
- Entry step
- $68,039
- 90th percentile
- $81,200
Starting FDNY firefighters earn $54,122, reaching $74,998 at 4.5 years.
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.
New York City · FDNY
11,230 career
$138,600 total comp
Average base pay$95,400
Overtime share 18% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
Buffalo · Buffalo Fire Department
680 career
$89,400 total comp
Average base pay$72,800
Overtime share 14% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
Rochester · Rochester Fire Department
510 career
$84,600 total comp
Average base pay$69,200
Overtime share 13% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
Yonkers · Yonkers Fire Department
425 career
$106,800 total comp
Average base pay$86,400
Overtime share 15% · 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 | FDNY | New York City | $140,945 | $20,336 | $161,281 | Promotional exam, 22.5 years service example |
| Captain | FDNY | New York City | $108,244 | $40,919 | $149,163 | Promotional exam, includes night/holiday differential |
| Lieutenant | FDNY | New York City | $94,300 | $31,548 | $125,848 | Promotional list, supplemental includes longevity |
| Firefighter | FDNY | New York City | $105,146 | $28,000 | $133,146 | 5.5 years, many earn $140K+ with OT |
| Probationary Firefighter | FDNY | New York City | $54,122 | $3,800 | $57,922 | Starting salary, increases to $74,998 at 4.5yr |
Contract updates & budget highlights
Track adjustments that influence upcoming negotiations and pay plan refreshes.
Effective August 2024
FDNY UFA Contract Extension
Ratified 3% annual raises through 2026 plus enhanced healthcare cost-sharing for retirees.
Active since 2022
New York State Firefighter Cancer Presumption
Expands covered cancer types and streamlines disability pension applications for line-of-duty diagnoses.
January 2025
FDNY Overtime Policy Update
Mandatory staffing levels maintain high overtime availability, averaging $40,000+ annually for active participants.
Frequently asked questions
Answers sourced from contracts, HR briefings, and state statutes to help HR partners, union stewards, and candidates understand compensation.
How much do FDNY firefighters make with overtime?
Over 4,500 FDNY firefighters earned more than $140,000 in 2023, with 800+ exceeding $172,000. Overtime can add $28,000-$40,000 annually for active participants.
What is the FDNY pension system?
FDNY firefighters participate in Tier 2/3 pension plans offering 50% of final average salary after 20 years, with automatic COLA adjustments and enhanced disability benefits.
How long does it take to reach top FDNY firefighter pay?
Base pay reaches $105,146 at 5.5 years of service, excluding overtime, night differential, holiday pay, and longevity bonuses that accumulate over a career.
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.
- FDNY Official Compensation Guide · Updated Jan 2025
- Uniformed Firefighters Association Contract · August 2024
- New York City Comptroller Payroll Database · Fiscal Year 2024
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