25 Best States For Firefighters

Hey hot stuff, here are the 25 best states for firefighters. Firefighters are incredibly cool and brave–I mean, I had to put my face down by the oven to remove a tray of cookies and I literally could not take the heat. Seriously, I am more than thankful there are people in the world who put their lives on the line for humans like me, someone who will faint during the first 90-degree day of summer.

My wife’s cat also likes firefighters (fine, he is also my cat, but we’re really more like roommates–I’m a dog person). Recently a fireman had to walk through our apartment to check out the building’s backyard and I’ve never seen a cat so transfixed. He galloped alongside the fireman, nearly clinging to his boot, and then tried to seduce him by batting his eyes and stretching out his body.

Once the fireman left, the cat sprinted to the window to watch them ready their trucks. Other firefighters have been outside since and our cat, without fail, stares at them like steaks. What I’m saying is my cat wants to have a fireman’s baby. It’s understandable that he would be so ensorcelled.  They’ve got it all, bravery, uniforms, a lack of heat sensitivity–what’s not for a cat, or any species to love? If you know of any single firemen send them my cat’s way. Not sure what he’d do besides sleep in their helmet or get fur all over them, but there’s only one way to find out.

Clearly, firefighting is a very important job. There are many types of firefighters including those who run the hook and ladder in cities and towns and those who battle wildfires from helicopters throughout rural landscapes. There are salaried firefighters and volunteers. They have to meet difficult physical requirements and pass testing in order to be allowed to work the job. For those that are salaried, there are certain states where is it better to live, particularly due to wages.

When the wind starts to blow the fire, brave men and women firefighters step up to deal with it and become heroes of the nation. During the history, many heroic stories happened and this is the 8 Heroic Rescue Stories Throughout History Like Cedric Herrou. According to United States Department of Labour, in the USA, works 318,790 firefighters. Average hourly wage is $24 and the yearly wage is $49.330. But to find the best place for firefighters, we had to use the data for each individual state, compare it with living cost index and find out the best relation between cost of living and worker earnings. The highest salary doesn’t guarantee that some firefighter would live properly and have enough money to cover all living costs.

Here is the list of 25 best states for firefighters:

25. Alaska

Cost of Living Index: 131.6

Hourly wage: $27.62

Employment: 770

The last place on the list is Alaska. You might think there is a small risk of fire because there is a lot of snow and it is very cold. However, there was a large fire in Anchorage just this month. You never know though–maybe you also have to fight off polar bears to get to your truck?

24. Delaware

Cost of Living Index: 102.6

Hourly wage: $21.39

Employment: 480

After Alaska, we are going south to Delaware which is 24th place on this list. There are fewer firefighters in this state than Alaska. One bad thing for Delaware firefighters is their salary, which s very small amount of money if we consider the living cost index. In general, not good state for firefighters as the rest of states from this list.

23. Maryland

Cost of Living Index: 125.0

Hourly wage: $27.18

Employment: 3,830

Maryland is not a large state. However, there are certainly fires here just as anywhere else–particularly in the city of Baltimore, as metropolitan areas have a higher risk of fires spreading from building to building. They also have programs like Best Buddies Maryland, which is a statewide nonprofit organization that helps students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who recently partnered with AACPF Local 1563 so kids could learn what it’s like to be an Anne Arundel County firefighter.

22. Arizona

Cost of Living Index: 98.1

Hourly wage: $21.74

Employment: 6,610

This state has almost the same average hourly wage as the previous states but costs of living are accessible for these amount of money you get monthly. That means that you will able to pay bills, cover necessary costs for your family and still have enough money for entertainment, traveling or something else you like to do. Maybe you should consider this state for a living.

21. Wyoming

Cost of Living Index: 91.7

Hourly wage: $20.41

Employment: 460

Compared to previous states, Wyoming is nothing new.  It is the cheap state with a low salary, so if it appeals to you for its beautiful expanses than head out west!

20. Connecticut

Cost of Living Index: 130.7

Hourly wage: $28.56

Employment: 3,180

CT has a high hourly wage which is undercut by cost of living. It’s proximity to other states and ease of travel throughout might be the reason to set up shop here. Connecticut also has 11 gold medal schools, 37 silver medal schools, and 13 bronze medal schools, according to US News–so it is a great place to raise a family.

19. Montana

Cost of Living Index: 100.8

Hourly wage: $22.62

Employment: 340

Is Montana the best state for firefighters? It’s okay but still not as good as other upcoming states. Tip your hat and keep moving cowboy.

18. Ohio

Cost of Living Index: 93.0

Hourly wage: $21.26

Employment: 19,030

It is important to pay our brave men and women well. In Ohio they are attempting to do that. Still, you could make more in other states that would take you even further for your money.

17. Oklahoma

Cost of Living Index: 88.6

Hourly wage: $20.82

Employment: 3,390

The number 17 on our list of best states for firefighters is Oklahoma that is one of the cheapest states to live in the US. It is always going to be a solid choice given that data point. However, the hourly wage could be higher there.

16. Colorado

Cost of Living Index: 102.1

Hourly wage: $ 24.30

Employment: 5,090

Let’s now pause to explain who is the real firefighter. There is a scene in Friends when Phoebe dates two guys who don’t know about each other. One of them is a firefighter. Let’s see what happens when they found out about each other and what made the firefighter guy break up with her. That is a real firefighter, ladies and gentlemen–protecting our parks!

In Colorado there 5,090 firefighters who would definitely dump someone because of irresponsible candle use issues.

15. Michigan

Cost of Living Index: 88.2

Hourly wage: $21.16

Employment: 5,510

Compared to Colorado, Michigan is much cheaper, but it also has lower salaries. Somebody call the Great Lake state and tell them to turn up the heat.

14. California

Cost of Living Index: 134.8

Hourly wage: $32.65

Employment: 34,100

As you guessed, California is a very expensive state. But in the most cases, the state provides good salaries for its workers. That is the case with firefighters who are earning a very decent wage here.  Because of frequent fires that happen in this country, especially wildfires, along with a large land area and high population, the number of firefighters is very high.

13. Virginia

Cost of Living Index: 100.2

Hourly wage: $ 24.25

Employment: 9,240

It is easier to breathe in Virginia for firefighters. Compared to California situation, this state a better pay situations for firefighters.

12. Indiana

Cost of Living Index: 87.9

Hourly wage: $ 21.88

Employment: 8,040

Just one reminder, we are halfway through 25 best states for firefighters and this place belongs to Indiana.

11. New York

Cost of Living Index: 135.2

Hourly wage: $ 32.18

Employment: 10,970

“If l can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere, It up to you …”  As the song said if you can make it in New York you can make it everywhere. As you guess, New York and the rest of the state is very expensive. Firefighters are very well paid compared to other states, but the life is too expensive. Like in California, New York provides a good hourly wage for firefighters but that is not enough compared the costs of living.

10. Missouri

Cost of Living Index: 90.8

Hourly wage: $ 22.75

Employment: 7,280

Here are the top 10 of 25 best states for firefighters, ladies and gentlemen! This place belongs to Missouri. We have made a promise that we will find the best states for our dear friends firefighters and here is one of them.

9. Florida

Cost of Living Index: 99.0

Hourly wage: $24.77

Employment: 23,640

Believe or not, Florida has 23,640 firefighters. This state is a very good choice for them, because of good wages. Very good state, but we have even better one for you. Keep reading!

8. Oregon

Cost of Living Index: 115.4

Hourly wage: $29.89

Employment: 3,280

It is good to put out the fire in this state, because it has even higher wages compared to Florida. Although the living costs are slightly higher, this state is still very respectable among the firefighters.

7. Illinois

Cost of Living Index: 95.5

Hourly wage: $24.55

Employment: 18,030

Maybe Illinois is not the perfect place for firefighters, but offers very decent salary and good living conditions. Plus there is a pretty popular television show about you guys called Chicago Fire–if you think it’s nice to see art imitate life head to Illinois.

6. Pennsylvania

Cost of Living Index: 102.8

Hourly wage: $26.50

Employment: 5,110

Ryan started the fire! This is my favorite scene of the TV show The Office, which is set in good old Pennsylvania.

5. Texas

Cost of Living Index: 90.7

Hourly wage: $23.84

Employment: 27,890

Top five on our list of best states for firefighters people! Texas is considering as a good state for many types of occupations and firefighters are one of those.

4. Nebraska

Cost of Living Index: 91.3

Hourly wage: $24.69

Employment: 1,100

As we are moving to the top of the list we are noticing that the earnings by each state are increasing. The first place is very near but 4th place on our list of best states for firefighters belongs to Nebraska.

3. Nevada

Cost of Living Index: 104.5

Hourly wage: $28.86

Employment: 1,660

Here are the top 3 best states for firefighters, people! Take a bet on Nevada and it will pay off well.

2. Washington

Cost of Living Index: 107.1

Hourly wage: $32.34

Employment: 8,000

The second place belongs to Washington. Washington is a well-known state that is not too expensive and offers good job conditions for its workers. We do a lot of these “25 best states” lists and Washington is always in the middle of the list. Somehow in this one, ended up nearly at the top. Congrats, Washington!

1. New Jersey

Cost of Living Index: 121.0

Hourly wage: $39.23

Employment: 5,300

Here it is! The winner of 25 best states for firefighters is New Jersey.  If you are a firefighter or want to be, consider this state for employment or education because it offers the perfect conditions for building a career, starting a family and having a good and productive life.

Go ahead, New Jersey is the perfect choice!