Firefighter salary in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
Firefighters in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area earn a median of $38,380 a year ($18.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,130 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 35% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $58,670. There are 0.78 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $38,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,810 | $12.41 |
| 25th percentile | $26,520 | $12.75 |
| Median | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 75th percentile | $46,500 | $22.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,130 | $28.43 |
| Average (mean) | $38,660 | $18.59 |
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 | $3,198.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,599.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,476.15 |
| Weekly | $738.08 |
| Hourly | $18.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,980 | 7,610 |
| Richmond, VA | $60,790 | 2,020 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $56,940 | 2,880 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $49,410 | 80 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $46,860 | 260 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $45,450 | 260 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,110 | 270 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $43,900 | 180 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,310 | 540 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,250 | $27.05 |
| Security Guard | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $78,610 | $37.80 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,250 | $37.14 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $40,330 | $19.39 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA
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 Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area is $38,380 a year, or $18.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area earn at least $59,130 a year. The top 25% earn $46,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,810 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $26,520 or less.
How many firefighters work in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA?
About 60 firefighters are employed in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.