Fire Chief
Overtime 7%- Median base
- $148,600
- Entry step
- $136,200
- 90th percentile
- $162,400
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chiefs manage large urban departments with executive benefits.
View fire chief salaryPennsylvania salary guideUpdated Jan 10, 2025
Pennsylvania Firefighter Salary (2025)
Pennsylvania firefighters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metros receive competitive mid-Atlantic compensation with strong pension systems, recent arbitration awards driving wage increases, and comprehensive healthcare packages that enhance total compensation value.
Median base pay
$59,749
+3.4% YoY
Average overtime
$8,900
From 16 municipal agencies
Quick facts
- Philadelphia-Camden-WilmingtonTop paying metro
- $84,002Philadelphia avg
- 5% plus $1,800 bonusRecent Philly increase
- $70,000 increaseLOD death benefit boost
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
- $128,400
- Entry step
- $118,600
- 90th percentile
- $140,200
Battalion chiefs coordinate operations across diverse urban and suburban jurisdictions.
View battalion chief salaryCaptain
Overtime 10%- Median base
- $102,400
- Entry step
- $94,200
- 90th percentile
- $112,600
Philadelphia captains benefit from recent IAFF Local 22 arbitration awards.
View captain salaryEngineer / Driver
Overtime 11%- Median base
- $84,600
- Entry step
- $78,200
- 90th percentile
- $93,200
Engineers operate diverse apparatus across challenging urban terrain and weather conditions.
View engineer / driver salaryFirefighter / Paramedic
Overtime 12%- Median base
- $59,749
- Entry step
- $52,800
- 90th percentile
- $66,400
Philadelphia Local 22 secured 5% raise and enhanced death benefits in 2023 extension.
View firefighter / paramedic salaryProbationary Firefighter
Overtime 5%- Median base
- $45,085
- Entry step
- $40,600
- 90th percentile
- $49,200
Entry-level positions offer stable career path with strong pension and healthcare benefits.
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.
Philadelphia · Philadelphia Fire Department
2,350 career
$106,500 total comp
Average base pay$84,000
Overtime share 15% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire
710 career
$84,200 total comp
Average base pay$68,400
Overtime share 13% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
Allentown · Allentown Fire Department
230 career
$72,400 total comp
Average base pay$58,600
Overtime share 12% · Specialty pay included in total comp.
Erie · Erie Fire Department
180 career
$67,800 total comp
Average base pay$55,200
Overtime share 11% · 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Commissioner | Philadelphia Fire Department | Philadelphia | $156,800 | $8,400 | $165,200 | Mayoral appointment |
| Battalion Chief | Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire | Pittsburgh | $117,000 | $12,600 | $129,600 | Promotional exam process |
| Captain | Allentown Fire Department | Allentown | $94,800 | $11,200 | $106,000 | Internal promotional list |
| Firefighter / Paramedic | Erie Fire Department | Erie | $53,400 | $7,800 | $61,200 | Paramedic stipend $3,600, civil service exam |
| Probationary Firefighter | Philadelphia Fire Department | Philadelphia | $49,900 | $3,200 | $53,100 | Academy training 18 weeks |
Contract updates & budget highlights
Track adjustments that influence upcoming negotiations and pay plan refreshes.
December 2023
Philadelphia IAFF Local 22 Extension
One-year extension providing 5% wage increase, $1,800 signing bonus, sick leave conversion benefits, and $70,000 LOD death benefit increase.
Fiscal Year 2025
FY2025 Arbitration Award
Binding arbitration award resulted in $28.7 million budget increase for Philadelphia Fire salary raises and bonuses, representing significant investment in public safety.
Ongoing
Pennsylvania Pension Reform
Municipal pension systems maintain defined benefit plans for career firefighters with enhanced disability and survivor benefits for line-of-duty incidents.
Frequently asked questions
Answers sourced from contracts, HR briefings, and state statutes to help HR partners, union stewards, and candidates understand compensation.
What are Philadelphia firefighter salaries?
Philadelphia firefighters average $84,002 annually, with recent contracts providing 5% increases and retention bonuses. Battalion chiefs earn approximately $117,000 in total compensation.
How do Pennsylvania firefighter pensions work?
Municipal pension plans typically offer 50% of final average salary after 20-25 years of service, with enhanced disability benefits and line-of-duty death survivor benefits.
What is the hiring process for Philadelphia Fire Department?
Candidates must pass civil service exam, physical agility test, background check, and medical evaluation. Successful applicants attend 18-week academy before probationary assignment.
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.
- Philadelphia Fire Department · Updated Jan 2025
- IAFF Local 22 - Philadelphia Firefighters and Paramedics · Contract Information 2024
- Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System · 2025 Pension Data
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