Firefighter salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Firefighters in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $36,490 a year ($17.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 940 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,170 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 2% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $37,150. There are 3.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,460 | $14.16 |
| 25th percentile | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| Median | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| 75th percentile | $46,520 | $22.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,170 | $27.97 |
| Average (mean) | $40,980 | $19.70 |
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 | $3,040.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,520.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,403.46 |
| Weekly | $701.73 |
| Hourly | $17.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $58,570 | 3,380 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $54,950 | 300 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $45,160 | 1,640 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $36,060 | 230 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $35,240 | 250 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $34,030 | 130 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $61,720 | $29.67 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $51,510 | $24.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $69,140 | $33.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $96,140 | $46.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $84,900 | $40.82 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $67,530 | $32.47 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $41,930 | $20.16 |
| Bailiff | $32,020 | $15.39 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,180 | $14.03 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for firefighters in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $36,490 a year, or $17.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $58,170 a year. The top 25% earn $46,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,460 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $34,630 or less.
How many firefighters work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 940 firefighters are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.