Firefighter salary in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
Firefighters in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn a median of $56,260 a year ($27.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,230 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 3% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $54,640. There are 0.71 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.32). The average (mean) salary is $56,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| 25th percentile | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| Median | $56,260 | $27.05 |
| 75th percentile | $68,550 | $32.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,230 | $33.77 |
| Average (mean) | $56,340 | $27.09 |
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 | $4,688.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,344.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,163.85 |
| Weekly | $1,081.92 |
| Hourly | $27.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $62,730 | 3,520 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $57,540 | 410 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $56,450 | 440 |
| Midland, MI | $52,800 | 60 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $52,200 | 120 |
| Niles, MI | $50,600 | 110 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $48,460 | 160 |
| Jackson, MI | $47,690 | 100 |
| Traverse City, MI | $46,990 | 140 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $45,480 | 60 |
| Monroe, MI | $44,730 | 70 |
| Saginaw, MI | $44,550 | 80 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $41,580 | 140 |
| Flint, MI | $39,150 | 180 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $40,810 | $19.62 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,920 | $36.02 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $68,520 | $32.94 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,560 | $13.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,140 | $46.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $79,330 | $38.14 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,540 | $19.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $69,230 | $33.28 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $42,140 | $20.26 |
| Bailiff | $55,010 | $26.45 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $53,470 | $25.71 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI
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 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The median salary for firefighters in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area is $56,260 a year, or $27.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn at least $70,230 a year. The top 25% earn $68,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,620 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $45,990 or less.
How many firefighters work in Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI?
About 420 firefighters are employed in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.