Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| Illinois | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $78,380 | $62,011 | +26% |
| Median hourly wage | $37.68 | $29.81 | +26% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $78,380.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Firefighter in Illinois is $78,380, or about $37.68 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Firefighters is $62,011. Illinois is +26% above the national median.
Entry-level firefighters in Illinois typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 18,400 firefighter jobs on record and a median salary of $78,380, Illinois offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.