Minnesota Firefighter Salary (2026) – City Breakdown, Overtime & Real Take-Home
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Minnesota firefighter compensation varies by department, schedule, overtime policy, and benefits. This guide breaks down what Minnesota firefighters actually earn — from entry-level pay to top-step with overtime — and what shapes take-home pay across the state's major departments.
Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and department pay scales (BLS mean: $62,380):
Level
Annual Base Pay
Entry-level (probation / step 1)
$50,000–$64,000
Mid-career (5–10 years)
$66,000–$84,000
Top-step Firefighter
$78,000–$98,000
With overtime (realistic)
$92,000–$122,000
Engineer / Driver-Operator
$85,000–$106,000
Captain
$100,000–$130,000
Source: BLS OES May 2023, department HR postings, union contracts. Numbers reflect base pay; total compensation with OT and benefits is higher.
City-by-City Breakdown
Department
Typical Range
Notes
Minneapolis Fire Department
$62,000–$98,000
Largest department in Minnesota. Strong IAFF Local 82 contract. Consistent OT.
St. Paul Fire Department
$60,000–$95,000
Twin Cities counterpart; competitive compensation, active department.
Rochester Fire Department
$56,000–$86,000
Mayo Clinic city; growing population, improving compensation.
Bloomington Fire Department
$58,000–$90,000
Minneapolis suburb; Mall of America proximity creates unique hazard profile.
Overtime and Premium Pay
Minneapolis and St. Paul have consistent OT. Suburban departments have more moderate availability. Winter storm response creates seasonal demand spikes across the state.
Use the Salary Comparison Tool to model different overtime assumptions before comparing departments.
Retirement and Pension
Minnesota Local Government Correctional Service Retirement Plan (LCPR) or local relief associations for some departments. Minneapolis and St. Paul have their own pension funds. Volunteer Relief Associations cover smaller communities. Verify specific fund for your target department.
Cost of Living — What Your Salary Actually Buys
Minnesota has above-average state income taxes but reasonable housing costs outside the Twin Cities core. Minneapolis/St. Paul metro housing is more affordable than coastal metros but has risen since 2020.
MN Firefighter Career Outlook
Minnesota offers solid mid-to-upper tier compensation. Strong union culture and good benefits. High state income tax is the main tradeoff. Twin Cities is the primary career market.
How to Compare Two Minnesota Departments
Match the same rank and step (entry vs. 5-year vs. top step).
Confirm the schedule type and how overtime is calculated under your contract.
Get the actual pension contribution rate — not just the benefit formula.
Ask for healthcare premium costs for your coverage tier.
Subtract deductions, then compare take-home against housing costs in that specific city.
Add conservative overtime — use low-end estimates, not maximum scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average firefighter salary in Minnesota?
The BLS mean wage for firefighters in Minnesota is $62,380. Career firefighters typically earn $66,000–$84,000 in base pay depending on rank, step, and department. With realistic overtime, total compensation ranges from $92,000–$122,000.
Do Minnesota firefighters get a pension?
Minnesota Local Government Correctional Service Retirement Plan (LCPR) or local relief associations for some departments. Minneapolis and St. Paul have their own pension funds. Volunteer Relief Associations cover smaller communities. Verify specific fund for your target department.
Is Minnesota a good state for a firefighter career?
Minnesota offers solid mid-to-upper tier compensation. Strong union culture and good benefits. High state income tax is the main tradeoff. Twin Cities is the primary career market.
