Missouri Firefighter Salary (2026) – Pay Scale, Overtime Rules, Benefits & Department Comparison
Missouri firefighter compensation is driven by department pay scales, schedule structure, overtime policy, and benefit deductions. This guide provides a verification-first framework so you can compare departments accurately without relying on misleading averages.
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Reality check: two pay offers can look similar on paper but produce different take-home pay once overtime rules and deductions are accounted for.
What Drives Firefighter Pay in Missouri
- Rank/step plan: confirm step progression, longevity rules, and promotions.
- Schedule design: how overtime and holiday pay are calculated matters.
- Overtime policy: assignment method, holdovers/callbacks, and caps determine realistic earnings.
- Benefits/deductions: retirement and healthcare premiums affect net pay.
Overtime, Callbacks, and Specialty Incentives
Overtime can materially increase annual income, but it depends on staffing and policy. Verify how overtime is assigned, whether holdovers are common, and whether specialty roles have incentives.
How to Compare Two Missouri Departments
- Match the same rank/step across departments.
- Confirm schedule and overtime calculation method.
- Estimate realistic overtime based on policy and staffing.
- Subtract retirement and healthcare deductions.
- Compare purchasing power using housing and commuting costs.
FAQ
What’s the most reliable data for Missouri firefighter pay?
The official department pay scale by rank/step, plus written overtime policy and benefits/deduction information.
How should I use the state hub?
Use the hub to narrow to a short list of states, then compare departments using verified pay scales, schedules, overtime policies, and deductions.
