Firefighter salary in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Firefighters in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median of $47,300 a year ($22.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,680 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 2% higher than the Georgia statewide median of $46,550. There are 2.2 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $50,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,920 | $17.75 |
| 25th percentile | $39,830 | $19.15 |
| Median | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| 75th percentile | $57,670 | $27.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,680 | $33.02 |
| Average (mean) | $50,410 | $24.24 |
Half of firefighters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,941.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,970.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,819.23 |
| Weekly | $909.62 |
| Hourly | $22.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | $50,470 | 720 |
| Hinesville, GA | $49,210 | 150 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $48,770 | 530 |
| Dalton, GA | $48,110 | 180 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $47,540 | 510 |
| Gainesville, GA | $46,870 | 450 |
| Albany, GA | $46,540 | 210 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,060 | 560 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $45,660 | 450 |
| Rome, GA | $44,780 | 100 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $40,330 | 270 |
| Valdosta, GA | $34,600 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $71,070 | $34.17 |
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $51,260 | $24.65 |
| Security Guard | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,910 | $29.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $81,860 | $39.35 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $69,900 | $33.61 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,380 | $23.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $76,490 | $36.78 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,860 | $15.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $49,230 | $23.67 |
| School Bus Monitor | $30,130 | $14.48 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $66,770 | $32.10 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $45,080 | $21.68 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $47,300 a year, or $22.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn at least $68,680 a year. The top 25% earn $57,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,920 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $39,830 or less.
How many firefighters work in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
About 6,350 firefighters are employed in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.