Firefighter salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Firefighters in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $37,250 a year ($17.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,350 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 12% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $33,120. There are 2.5 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,070 | $11.09 |
| 25th percentile | $29,190 | $14.03 |
| Median | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| 75th percentile | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,350 | $29.49 |
| Average (mean) | $41,920 | $20.16 |
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 | $3,104.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,552.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,432.69 |
| Weekly | $716.35 |
| Hourly | $17.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,250 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | $38,010 | 290 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $37,620 | 700 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $33,260 | 1,060 |
| Lafayette, LA | $30,100 | 220 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $29,550 | 240 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $29,500 | 390 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $28,360 | 170 |
| Hammond, LA | $28,330 | 170 |
| Monroe, LA | $22,800 | 280 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists | $102,480 | $49.27 |
| Security Guard | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,970 | $23.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $75,740 | $36.41 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,480 | $20.91 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $40,490 | $19.47 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $62,430 | $30.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| School Bus Monitor | $25,070 | $12.05 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,960 | $12.00 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $31,090 | $14.95 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for firefighters in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $37,250 a year, or $17.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $61,350 a year. The top 25% earn $48,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,070 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $29,190 or less.
How many firefighters work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 1,110 firefighters are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.