Mississippi Firefighter Salary (2026) – City Breakdown, Overtime & Real Take-Home
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Mississippi firefighter compensation varies by department, schedule, overtime policy, and benefits. This guide breaks down what Mississippi 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: $36,480):
Level
Annual Base Pay
Entry-level (probation / step 1)
$30,000–$40,000
Mid-career (5–10 years)
$40,000–$52,000
Top-step Firefighter
$48,000–$62,000
With overtime (realistic)
$55,000–$72,000
Engineer / Driver-Operator
$54,000–$68,000
Captain
$62,000–$80,000
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
Jackson Fire Department
$38,000–$60,000
State capital and largest city. Largest department in Mississippi. City has faced budget challenges.
Gulfport Fire Department
$36,000–$58,000
Gulf Coast; hurricane exposure creates demand spikes. Casino industry proximity.
Biloxi Fire Department
$36,000–$58,000
Resort/casino city; below average pay but low cost of living.
Overtime and Premium Pay
Limited OT in most Mississippi departments. Hurricane season can create extended OT periods in Gulf Coast departments.
Use the Salary Comparison Tool to model different overtime assumptions before comparing departments.
Retirement and Pension
Mississippi Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Defined-benefit. Employee contributions approximately 9% of gross pay.
Cost of Living — What Your Salary Actually Buys
Mississippi has the lowest cost of living of any U.S. state. Housing is extremely affordable statewide. A $48K salary in Jackson or Gulfport provides decent real-world purchasing power despite the low nominal figure.
MS Firefighter Career Outlook
Lowest-paying state for firefighters in the nation. However, cost of living is also the lowest. Limited career advancement opportunities outside Jackson and Gulf Coast. Consider carefully against neighboring states (Tennessee, Alabama) for career options.
How to Compare Two Mississippi 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 Mississippi?
The BLS mean wage for firefighters in Mississippi is $36,480. Career firefighters typically earn $40,000–$52,000 in base pay depending on rank, step, and department. With realistic overtime, total compensation ranges from $55,000–$72,000.
Do Mississippi firefighters get a pension?
Mississippi Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Defined-benefit. Employee contributions approximately 9% of gross pay.
Is Mississippi a good state for a firefighter career?
Lowest-paying state for firefighters in the nation. However, cost of living is also the lowest. Limited career advancement opportunities outside Jackson and Gulf Coast. Consider carefully against neighboring states (Tennessee, Alabama) for career options.
