The Ultimate Guide to a Fire Lieutenant's Salary and Career...

For many, the image of a firefighter is one of courage on the front lines—braving smoke and flames to save lives. But within every effective fire department, there is a critical layer of leadership that turns a group of brave individuals into a cohesive, life-saving unit. This is the world of the Fire Lieutenant, the first step on the officer track and a role that blends hands-on emergency response with the immense responsibility of command. If you're a firefighter looking to advance or an aspiring public servant drawn to a career of impact and leadership, understanding the full scope of this profession—especially its compensation and long-term potential—is paramount.

This guide is designed to be your definitive resource, moving beyond a simple salary number to explore the intricate factors that shape a Fire Lieutenant's career and earnings. We will delve into national averages, regional disparities, the value of specialized skills, and the clear, step-by-step path to pinning on that lieutenant's badge. I once spoke with a veteran fire chief who told me, "The best lieutenants don't just give orders; they build trust in the firehouse and inspire confidence on the fireground. They are the backbone of the entire operation." This sentiment captures the essence of the role: it's a position of trust, skill, and leadership that is compensated accordingly.

We will provide a comprehensive, data-driven analysis to answer every question you have about a Fire Lieutenant's salary and what it takes to earn it.

### Table of Contents

[What Does a Fire Lieutenant Do?](#what-does-a-fire-lieutenant-do)
[Average Fire Lieutenant Salary: A Deep Dive](#average-fire-lieutenant-salary-a-deep-dive)
[Key Factors That Influence a Fire Lieutenant's Salary](#key-factors-that-influence-salary)
[Job Outlook and Career Growth for Fire Lieutenants](#job-outlook-and-career-growth)
[How to Become a Fire Lieutenant: A Step-by-Step Guide](#how-to-get-started-in-this-career)
[Conclusion: Is a Career as a Fire Lieutenant Right for You?](#conclusion)

What Does a Fire Lieutenant Do?

A Fire Lieutenant is a first-line supervisor and a pivotal command officer within a fire department's rank structure. This role marks the critical transition from being a "doer" (a firefighter) to a "leader" who directs the doing. While they are still expected to be highly proficient in all firefighting skills—from pulling hose lines and operating pumps to performing search and rescue—their primary function shifts to command, crew management, and operational oversight.

The Lieutenant is typically the officer in charge of a single fire company (an engine, ladder truck, or rescue unit) and its crew for an entire shift. Their responsibilities are vast and varied, encompassing emergency scenes, firehouse duties, and administrative tasks.

Core Responsibilities Include:

Incident Command: At the scene of an emergency (fire, medical call, car accident, hazardous material spill), the Lieutenant is often the first-arriving officer. They are responsible for assuming initial command, assessing the situation (size-up), developing an incident action plan, and directing their crew's actions until a higher-ranking officer arrives. Their decisions in the first five minutes of an incident can dictate its entire outcome.
Crew Supervision and Mentorship: The Lieutenant is directly responsible for the safety, performance, and professional development of the firefighters under their command. This involves assigning daily tasks, ensuring readiness, providing ongoing training, and mentoring newer firefighters.
Training and Drills: They are responsible for maintaining their company's operational readiness. This involves planning, leading, and documenting daily, weekly, and monthly training drills on everything from hose-line advancement and ladder operations to medical protocols and driver training.
Administrative and Reporting Duties: Leadership comes with paperwork. Lieutenants complete and review detailed incident reports, conduct performance evaluations for their crew, manage station supplies, create work schedules, and maintain detailed logs of all company activities and training hours.
Apparatus and Equipment Maintenance: They are ultimately responsible for ensuring that their fire apparatus and all associated equipment are in a constant state of readiness. This involves supervising daily check-offs and scheduling necessary repairs.
Public Interaction and Education: Fire companies are often a direct point of contact for the community. A Lieutenant may lead their crew in public fire safety demonstrations, conduct station tours, or interact with citizens on non-emergency calls, acting as a professional representative of the department.

### A "Day in the Life" of a Fire Lieutenant

To make this tangible, consider a typical 24-hour shift:

07:00: The shift begins. The Lieutenant receives a pass-down briefing from the off-going officer, discussing any ongoing mechanical issues, pertinent calls from the previous shift, or administrative notices.
07:15: The Lieutenant leads their crew in a full check-off of the apparatus and all equipment. They ensure every tool is in its place and functioning, SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) cylinders are full, and medical supplies are stocked.
08:30: Morning briefing. The Lieutenant assigns station duties (housework), outlines the training plan for the day, and discusses any safety bulletins.
10:00: (Tone Alerts) "Engine 5, respond to a report of a fire alarm, 123 Main Street." The Lieutenant takes their seat in the officer's position, acknowledges the dispatch, and begins reviewing pre-incident plan information on the mobile data terminal while en route. They arrive, assess the situation (a false alarm from burnt food), and professionally interact with the building occupant before clearing the scene.
11:00: Back at the station, they lead a training drill on vehicle extrication in the back lot, using old tools to practice different techniques. They provide real-time feedback and correction to their firefighters.
12:30: Crew lunch. This is a critical time for team bonding and informal mentorship.
14:00: (Tone Alerts) "Engine 5, Ladder 2, Battalion 1, respond to a reported structure fire, 456 Oak Avenue." En route, the Lieutenant formulates a strategy based on dispatch information. Arriving first, they see smoke showing from a second-story window. They assume command, give a concise radio report, and order their crew to advance a hose line for fire attack while another team member establishes a water supply. They manage their crew's actions, coordinate with other arriving units, and maintain accountability until the Battalion Chief arrives and assumes command, at which point the Lieutenant transitions to a tactical role, leading their company inside.
17:00: After a grueling fire, the crew returns to the station. The next two hours are spent cleaning gear, restocking the engine, and getting it ready for the next call. The Lieutenant begins work on the comprehensive incident report.
20:00: The Lieutenant spends time working on employee performance reviews and planning the next block of training.
23:00: The crew settles in for the night, though they know a call can come at any moment. The Lieutenant is the last to rest, ensuring all reports are filed and the station is secure.
03:30: (Tone Alerts) "Engine 5, respond for a medical emergency, difficulty breathing." The crew responds, providing patient care until the ambulance arrives. The Lieutenant oversees the call and ensures all procedures are followed correctly.
07:00: The shift ends. The Lieutenant briefs the oncoming officer, signs off on the logbook, and heads home after 24 hours of immense responsibility.

This cycle of readiness, response, and responsibility is the core of the Fire Lieutenant's job, and it is this demanding blend of skills that commands a professional salary.

Average Fire Lieutenant Salary: A Deep Dive

A Fire Lieutenant's salary is a reflection of their increased responsibility, specialized training, and supervisory role. While the dream of serving the community is the primary driver for many, the compensation package is a significant factor that provides stability for individuals and their families. It's important to note that firefighter pay, especially at the officer level, is often more complex than a simple base salary, with overtime and other benefits playing a substantial role in the total compensation.

### National Averages and Salary Ranges

To establish a baseline, we'll look at data from several authoritative sources. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the gold standard for occupational data. While they don't always separate "Lieutenant" specifically, they provide data for "First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers," which is the direct statistical category for Lieutenants and Captains.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers was $85,730 as of May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $52,550, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $139,230.

This broad range highlights the significant impact of the factors we'll discuss later, such as location and department size.

Reputable salary aggregators provide more specific data for the "Fire Lieutenant" title, often compiled from self-reported data and job listings:

Salary.com reports the average Fire Lieutenant salary in the United States is $91,659 as of late 2023, with a typical range falling between $85,082 and $107,316.
Glassdoor places the total estimated pay for a Fire Lieutenant at $105,488 per year in the United States, which includes an average base salary of $86,071 and additional pay (bonuses, overtime, etc.) of around $19,417 per year.
Payscale estimates the average base salary for a Fire Lieutenant at $73,728 per year, but this figure often doesn't capture the full extent of overtime and other pay differentials that significantly boost annual earnings.

Consensus: A conservative national average base salary for a Fire Lieutenant is in the $85,000 to $95,000 range. However, with overtime and other common pay additives, total compensation frequently pushes into the $100,000 to $120,000 range, with top earners in high-cost-of-living areas exceeding $150,000 or more.

### Salary by Experience Level

A Fire Lieutenant's salary is not static. It grows with experience, seniority, and demonstrated leadership. Fire departments almost universally use a "step" system, where employees receive scheduled pay increases for each year of service in a particular rank.

Here is a representative breakdown of how a Fire Lieutenant's salary might progress. (Note: These are illustrative ranges and can vary widely by department.)

| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Newly Promoted Lieutenant | 0-3 Years | $80,000 - $95,000 | Still mastering the transition from firefighter to officer. Focused on crew management, initial incident command, and administrative basics. |

| Mid-Career Lieutenant | 4-9 Years | $95,000 - $115,000 | Highly proficient in command and control. Often serves as a mentor ("acting captain"), may pursue specialized training (HazMat, Tech Rescue), and is considered a reliable company officer. |

| Senior/Veteran Lieutenant | 10+ Years | $110,000 - $130,000+ | A seasoned leader, often at the top of the lieutenant pay scale. May serve in specialized roles (Training Officer, Arson Investigator) or be a top candidate for promotion to Captain. Has significant "longevity pay" bumps. |

### Understanding the Full Compensation Package

A Fire Lieutenant's W-2 is composed of much more than just their base salary. Public safety compensation is known for its robust and multi-faceted structure. When evaluating the financial attractiveness of this career, you must consider the entire package.

Base Salary: This is the foundational, 40-hour-per-week equivalent salary set by the department's pay scale and negotiated by the local fire union (like the IAFF).
Overtime (OT): This is the single most significant variable in a firefighter's pay. Firefighters work non-traditional schedules (e.g., 24 hours on, 48 hours off), which average more than 40 hours per week (often 48 or 56). This "built-in" overtime is part of the regular schedule. Additional overtime is earned by working extra shifts to cover for sickness, vacation, or staffing shortages. It is not uncommon for overtime to add 20-50% to a lieutenant's base salary in a busy department.
Longevity Pay: Many municipal departments reward service with longevity pay—a percentage or flat-dollar increase to base salary after reaching certain milestones (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20 years of service).
Specialty Pay / Stipends: Lieutenants with valuable, specialized certifications often receive an annual or hourly stipend. The most common is Paramedic Certification Pay, which can add $5,000 to $15,000 or more per year. Other stipends can include pay for being on a HazMat Team, Technical Rescue Team, or serving as a Training Officer.
Holiday Pay: Firefighters work 24/7/365. Working on designated holidays (like Christmas or Thanksgiving) typically comes with premium pay, often at 1.5x or 2x the normal rate.
Clothing/Uniform Allowance: Most departments provide an annual allowance to purchase and maintain required uniforms and station wear.
Health and Dental Insurance: Public safety agencies typically offer premium-level health insurance plans, with the employer covering a very high percentage (often 80-100%) of the monthly premium. This is a massive, non-taxable financial benefit.
Pension and Retirement: This is the cornerstone of firefighter compensation. Most career departments offer a defined-benefit pension plan. An officer can often retire with 50-75% of their final average salary for life after 20-30 years of service. This provides a level of long-term financial security rarely seen in the private sector.
Deferred Compensation Plans: In addition to pensions, many departments offer 457(b) plans, which are similar to 401(k)s, allowing for pre-tax retirement savings.

When you sum up base salary, guaranteed overtime, specialty pay, and the cash value of benefits like healthcare and a pension, the true annual compensation for a Fire Lieutenant is exceptionally competitive.

Key Factors That Influence a Fire Lieutenant's Salary

The national averages provide a useful snapshot, but the reality of a Fire Lieutenant's paycheck is intensely local and influenced by a host of specific factors. Understanding these variables is key to assessing your potential earnings and charting a strategic career path. This section will provide a detailed breakdown of what truly drives compensation in the fire service.

###

Geographic Location: The Number One Driver

More than any other factor, where you work dictates your salary. The cost of living, municipal tax base, and strength of local public safety unions create vast disparities in pay across the country.

High-Paying States and Cities:

States on the West Coast and in the Northeast are known for having the highest firefighter salaries in the nation. This is driven by high costs of living and historically strong union representation.

California: Cities like Los Angeles (LAFD), San Francisco (SFFD), and San Jose are consistently at the top. It is common for Fire Lieutenants in these major metropolitan departments to have base salaries exceeding $120,000, with total compensation, including overtime, pushing well into the $180,000 - $250,000+ range.
Washington: The Seattle Fire Department and surrounding King County departments offer very competitive salaries to attract and retain talent in a high-cost area. Lieutenants can expect base salaries well over $110,000.
New York: While the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) is the most famous, many suburban departments in Long Island (Nassau, Suffolk counties) and Westchester County are among the highest-paid in the country, with lieutenant base salaries often in the $125,000 - $140,000 range before overtime.
New Jersey: Similar to New York, many urban and suburban departments in New Jersey offer high salaries. Cities like Jersey City and Newark have highly compensated fire officers.

Average-Paying Regions:

The Midwest and parts of the Southeast and Southwest typically fall closer to the national average.

Texas: Major cities like Austin, Houston, and Dallas offer solid, competitive salaries for lieutenants, often in the $85,000 - $100,000 base range.
Florida: Salaries can vary widely, with larger departments like Miami-Dade Fire Rescue offering higher compensation than smaller, rural departments.
Illinois: The Chicago Fire Department and its surrounding suburban departments offer strong pay and benefits packages that align with national averages.

Lower-Paying States:

Generally, states in the Deep South and rural parts of the Mountain West have lower salary scales, which often correlate with a lower cost of living.

States like Mississippi, Arkansas, West Virginia, and South Dakota tend to have the lowest firefighter salaries in the country, where a lieutenant's base pay might be in the $55,000 - $70,000 range. While the cost of living is lower, the salary potential is significantly capped compared to other regions.

*(Data referenced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for First-Line Supervisors and cross-referenced with public salary data from transparent municipal government websites.)*

###

Department Size and Type

The nature of the employing agency has a profound impact on salary and job complexity. This is the fire service equivalent of "company size."

Large Municipal Departments (e.g., FDNY, LAFD, Chicago FD): These departments handle the highest call volume and the most complex incidents (high-rise fires, major technical rescues, large-scale HazMat events). They typically have the largest budgets and tax bases, leading to higher salaries, significant overtime opportunities, and more specialized units. The promotional process is fiercely competitive.
Suburban or Mid-Sized County Departments: These are often seen as a sweet spot. They offer competitive, often union-negotiated salaries that are sometimes close to their major metro neighbors. They respond to a diverse mix of incidents—from residential fires and highway accidents to commercial building alarms.
Small Town or Rural Departments: These departments have a much lower call volume and tax base. Pay is correspondingly lower. Some may operate as "combination" departments with a mix of career staff and paid-on-call or volunteer members, which can affect the salary structure and overtime availability for career officers.
Federal Fire Departments: These agencies protect military bases (Department of Defense), national parks, and other federal properties. Their employees are federal workers paid on the General Schedule (GS) scale. A Fire Lieutenant might fall in the GS-8 or GS-9 range, which provides a solid salary and excellent federal benefits, though it may not reach the highest peaks of top-tier municipal departments.
Industrial/Private Fire Brigades: Large industrial facilities like oil refineries, chemical plants, and major manufacturing complexes often have their own on-site fire departments. These can be extremely high-paying jobs, as the company is protecting billions in assets. These roles often require specialized training in industrial firefighting, and salaries can exceed those of even well-paid municipal lieutenants.

###

Years of Experience and Seniority

As detailed in the salary table, experience is directly and formally rewarded in the fire service. This is not a field where one negotiates a salary upon promotion; it is set by a structured pay scale.

Step Increases: A newly promoted lieutenant starts at "Step 1" of the lieutenant pay grade. Each year, they move up a step, receiving a contractually-obligated raise (typically 2-5%) until they reach the top step of that rank (usually after 5-8 years).
Longevity Pay: This is a separate benefit. After a set number of total years with the department (e.g., 10, 15, 20 years), an additional percentage is added to the employee's base pay. A 20-year veteran lieutenant who is at the top step will earn significantly more than a 10-year lieutenant at the top step due to this bonus.
Promotion: The single biggest jump in salary comes from promotion. Moving from a top-step Firefighter to a Step-1 Lieutenant can be a 15-25% increase in base pay. The subsequent promotion from Lieutenant to Captain brings another significant jump.

###

Education, Certifications, and Advanced Training

While a high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement to become a firefighter, career advancement to the officer ranks is increasingly tied to higher education and a portfolio of advanced certifications.

Higher Education: While a degree may not be required for promotion to Lieutenant in all departments, it is becoming a standard *preferred* qualification and is often *required* for ranks beyond lieutenant (Captain, Battalion Chief).
Associate's Degree in Fire Science: This is a common and highly relevant degree that provides a foundational understanding of fire behavior, hydraulics, building construction, and strategy.
Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, or Emergency Management: This is the gold standard for aspiring chief officers. A bachelor's degree signals a commitment to the profession and equips an officer with skills in budgeting, human resources, data analysis, and policy development—all critical at higher leadership levels. Many departments award educational incentive pay (a small percentage bonus to base salary) for holding a degree.
Key Certifications (NFPA Standards): The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets the professional qualification standards for the fire service. Certifications are proof of competency.
NFPA 1021: Fire Officer I & II: These are the foundational certifications for company officers. Fire Officer I is typically required for promotion to Lieutenant, and Fire Officer II is often required for Captain. They cover topics like leadership, community risk reduction, incident safety, and pre-incident planning.
NFPA 1041: Fire Instructor I & II: Certifications that demonstrate proficiency in teaching and developing training programs. Essential for lieutenants who serve as training officers.
NFPA 1002: Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator: A required certification to drive and operate the engine or ladder truck.
Paramedic Certification: As mentioned, this is often the most lucrative certification a fire officer can hold. With an increasing percentage of fire department calls being medical in nature, departments place a high premium on Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers. A Lieutenant who is also a licensed Paramedic brings immense value to every scene and is compensated with a significant pay stipend.

###

Area of Specialization

Within a fire department, lieutenants can pursue assignments in specialized divisions. While some of these roles may come with a pay differential, their primary value is in building a diverse resume for future promotions.

Fire Prevention/Inspection Bureau: A lieutenant in this role trades the firehouse for an office. They conduct fire code inspections, review construction plans, and investigate the cause and origin of fires. The schedule is typically a standard 40-hour work week.
Training Division: Lieutenants assigned to the training academy are responsible for drilling recruit firefighters and providing continuing education

The Ultimate Guide to a Fire Lieutenant's Salary and Career Path

Table of Contents