New Hampshire Firefighter Salary (2026) – City Breakdown, Overtime & Real Take-Home
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New Hampshire firefighter compensation varies by department, schedule, overtime policy, and benefits. This guide breaks down what New Hampshire firefighters actually earn — from entry-level pay to top-step with overtime — and what shapes take-home pay across the state's major departments.
New Hampshire Firefighter Salary — Quick Numbers (2026)
Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and department pay scales (BLS mean: $56,820):
Level
Annual Base Pay
Entry-level (probation / step 1)
$46,000–$58,000
Mid-career (5–10 years)
$60,000–$76,000
Top-step Firefighter
$72,000–$90,000
With overtime (realistic)
$85,000–$112,000
Engineer / Driver-Operator
$78,000–$96,000
Captain
$92,000–$118,000
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
Manchester Fire Department
$58,000–$90,000
Largest city in NH; best pay and OT in the state.
Nashua Fire Rescue
$56,000–$86,000
Massachusetts border city; proximity to Boston metro lifts wages.
Concord Fire Department
$52,000–$80,000
State capital; smaller department, stable employment.
Overtime and Premium Pay
Manchester and Nashua have consistent OT due to urban call volume. New Hampshire proximity to Massachusetts creates competition for personnel and pushes wages up, particularly in southern NH.
Use the Salary Comparison Tool to model different overtime assumptions before comparing departments.
Retirement and Pension
New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) Group II for public safety. Defined-benefit. Employee contributions approximately 11.55% of gross pay.
Cost of Living — What Your Salary Actually Buys
New Hampshire has no state income tax and no sales tax — strong take-home advantage. Housing costs in southern NH (Nashua, Manchester) are elevated due to Boston commuter demand. Northern NH is much more affordable.
NH Firefighter Career Outlook
No income or sales tax makes New Hampshire more competitive than base salaries suggest. Southern NH benefits from proximity to the Boston market. NHRS pension contribution is relatively high at 11.55%.
How to Compare Two New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire?
The BLS mean wage for firefighters in New Hampshire is $56,820. Career firefighters typically earn $60,000–$76,000 in base pay depending on rank, step, and department. With realistic overtime, total compensation ranges from $85,000–$112,000.
Do New Hampshire firefighters get a pension?
New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS) Group II for public safety. Defined-benefit. Employee contributions approximately 11.55% of gross pay.
Is New Hampshire a good state for a firefighter career?
No income or sales tax makes New Hampshire more competitive than base salaries suggest. Southern NH benefits from proximity to the Boston market. NHRS pension contribution is relatively high at 11.55%.
