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Firefighter · Wisconsin

Firefighter salary in Wisconsin

Firefighters in Wisconsin earn a median $46,850 a year across all employers.

$46,850
median pay in WI, all employers
8,120
workers in WI (SOC 33-2011)

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Pay in Wisconsin, all employers Sourced

Firefighters (SOC 33-2011) in Wisconsin, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.

MeasureWI
Workers8,120
10th percentile$29,390
Median$46,850
90th percentile$77,050
National median, government employers$60,050

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Pension in Wisconsin

State employees: State public safety

PlanAccrualNormal retirementEmployee paysSocial Security
Wisconsin Retirement System - Protective Occupation with Social Security
Protective with Social Security, post-2011 vesting rules
2%Age 54 (once vested)7.2%Covered

Local employees: Local police and firefighters

PlanAccrualNormal retirementEmployee paysSocial Security
Wisconsin Retirement System - Protective Occupation with Social Security
Protective with Social Security, post-2011 vesting rules
2%Age 54 (once vested)7.2%Covered
Wisconsin Retirement System - Protective Occupation without Social Security
Protective without Social Security, post-2011 vesting rules
2.5%Age 54 (once vested)7.2%Not covered

The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the Wisconsin pension plans list.

Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.

Employers in Wisconsin

155 fire departments in Wisconsin, largest Milwaukee Fire Department, Madison Fire Department, Green Bay Metro Fire Department.

Source: U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), National Fire Department Registry. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Free practice tests for Wisconsin

Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.

More about this job

Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Firefighter page.

Firefighter in other states

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWyoming

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Wisconsin government jobs · Wisconsin public pension plans · police officer standards in Wisconsin · exam practice in Wisconsin