Firefighter salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
Firefighters in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median of $49,320 a year ($23.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,740 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 2% higher than the Maine statewide median of $48,290. There are 4.7 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| 25th percentile | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| Median | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| 75th percentile | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,740 | $30.64 |
| Average (mean) | $51,240 | $24.63 |
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 | $4,110 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,055 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,896.92 |
| Weekly | $948.46 |
| Hourly | $23.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maine 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $52,930 | 190 |
| Bangor, ME | $48,020 | 310 |
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 Maine statewide figures.
Related jobs in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $45,230 | $21.74 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $73,600 | $35.38 |
| Security Guard | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $42,670 | $20.52 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $75,890 | $36.49 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,030 | $38.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $96,760 | $46.52 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,360 | $21.33 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $71,510 | $34.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $70,430 | $33.86 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Portland-South Portland, ME
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 Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median salary for firefighters in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $49,320 a year, or $23.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn at least $63,740 a year. The top 25% earn $59,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Portland-South Portland, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,100 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $43,700 or less.
How many firefighters work in Portland-South Portland, ME?
About 1,340 firefighters are employed in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area, not counting the self-employed.