Missouri Firefighter Salary (2026) – City Breakdown, Overtime & Real Take-Home
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Missouri firefighter compensation varies by department, schedule, overtime policy, and benefits. This guide breaks down what Missouri 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: $48,260):
Level
Annual Base Pay
Entry-level (probation / step 1)
$42,000–$54,000
Mid-career (5–10 years)
$56,000–$72,000
Top-step Firefighter
$66,000–$84,000
With overtime (realistic)
$78,000–$102,000
Engineer / Driver-Operator
$72,000–$90,000
Captain
$85,000–$108,000
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
Kansas City Fire Department
$54,000–$88,000
Largest department in Missouri. Strong contract; consistent OT. Major transit hub — hazmat response common.
St. Louis Fire Department
$52,000–$84,000
Second largest city; high call volume, good OT. City has faced budget challenges.
Springfield Fire Department
$46,000–$72,000
Southwest Missouri; stable employment.
St. Louis County Fire
$56,000–$88,000
County departments generally better-funded than city of St. Louis.
Overtime and Premium Pay
Kansas City and St. Louis have consistent OT. St. Louis city is particularly high-OT due to staffing levels. County departments have more moderate OT.
Use the Salary Comparison Tool to model different overtime assumptions before comparing departments.
Retirement and Pension
Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System (LAGERS) for many departments. Kansas City and St. Louis have their own pension funds. Kansas City has a well-funded police/fire pension; St. Louis city pension has faced funding pressures.
Cost of Living — What Your Salary Actually Buys
Missouri is affordable overall. Kansas City and St. Louis are two of the most affordable large metros in the U.S. Housing costs are significantly below coastal markets.
MO Firefighter Career Outlook
Missouri offers solid mid-tier compensation with very favorable cost of living. Kansas City is generally a stronger career option than St. Louis city due to pension health and municipal finances.
How to Compare Two Missouri 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 Missouri?
The BLS mean wage for firefighters in Missouri is $48,260. Career firefighters typically earn $56,000–$72,000 in base pay depending on rank, step, and department. With realistic overtime, total compensation ranges from $78,000–$102,000.
Do Missouri firefighters get a pension?
Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System (LAGERS) for many departments. Kansas City and St. Louis have their own pension funds. Kansas City has a well-funded police/fire pension; St. Louis city pension has faced funding pressures.
Is Missouri a good state for a firefighter career?
Missouri offers solid mid-tier compensation with very favorable cost of living. Kansas City is generally a stronger career option than St. Louis city due to pension health and municipal finances.
