New Jersey Firefighter Salary (2026) – City Breakdown, Overtime & Real Take-Home
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New Jersey firefighter pay runs meaningfully above the national average, driven largely by NYC-metro spillover in Hudson and Essex counties. This guide breaks down what New Jersey firefighters actually earn in Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, and Trenton — from entry-level pay to top-step with overtime — and what shapes real take-home pay in one of the highest-property-tax states in the country.
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New Jersey Firefighter Salary — Quick Numbers (2026)
Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median firefighter wage at $59,530 (May 2024, the most recent OEWS data published). New Jersey runs above that: 2026 Glassdoor data puts the statewide average firefighter salary at $73,074, roughly in line with the national average by that measure, while Newark specifically averages $78,938 — about 9% above the national figure. Jersey City and other Hudson County departments push comparably high, with top earners statewide clearing $106,000–$123,000 depending on rank and overtime.
| Level | Annual Base Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry-level (academy / probation) | $60,000–$71,000 |
| Mid-career (5–10 years) | $76,000–$96,000 |
| Top-step Firefighter | $90,000–$115,000 |
| With overtime (realistic, Newark/Jersey City) | $110,000–$150,000 |
| Engineer / Driver-Operator | $98,000–$122,000 |
| Captain | $118,000–$152,000 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 national estimates, Glassdoor and Salary.com New Jersey job-market data (2026), PFRS pension structure. Numbers reflect base pay; total compensation with overtime runs meaningfully higher, especially in Hudson and Essex county departments.
City-by-City Breakdown
| Department | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Newark Fire Department | $62,600–$100,200 typical range, $78,938 average → $123,700+ top earners | One of the largest and busiest departments in New Jersey. Average pay runs about 9% above the national firefighter average. Newark Liberty International Airport proximity makes aviation and hazmat training valuable for career advancement. |
| Jersey City Fire Department | $52,200–$121,700 range depending on rank and specialty pay | One of the largest departments in the state — 15 stations, 676 employees, directly across the Hudson from Manhattan. IAFF Locals 1066/1064. Paramedic certification and hazmat specialty pay can meaningfully boost total compensation on top of base. |
| Paterson Fire Department | $65,000–$102,000 | High-density urban department in Passaic County; consistent overtime tied to call volume. Confirm current step pay directly with the department, as a fully public current pay table wasn't available at time of writing. |
| Trenton Fire Department | $62,000–$96,000 | State capital; active department with consistent call volume. Confirm current step pay directly with the department. |
City figures combine Glassdoor and Salary.com 2026 job-market data where a fully public current step table wasn't available. Pay tables change between budget cycles and union contract negotiations — always confirm exact numbers on the department's own civil-service page before comparing offers.
Overtime and Premium Pay
Departments near Newark and Jersey City see high and consistent overtime, driven by NYC-metro spillover call volume, dense transportation infrastructure (including Newark Liberty Airport and the PATH system), and heavy population density. Overtime regularly adds $25,000–$50,000 or more annually for active personnel in these markets, though this varies significantly by department and contract. Paterson and other Passaic County departments see comparable dynamics on a smaller scale. Trenton and departments further from the immediate NYC-Hudson corridor generally see more moderate overtime.
Use the Salary Comparison Tool to model different overtime assumptions before comparing departments — treat any overtime figure as a range, not a guarantee.
Retirement and Pension
New Jersey career firefighters participate in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), a defined-benefit plan with employee contributions around 10% of gross pay. New Jersey's public pension systems, PFRS included, have well-documented long-term funding challenges — among the more underfunded state systems in the country, despite state contribution increases in recent years aimed at addressing the shortfall. This doesn't mean the benefit disappears, but it's a real risk factor worth understanding before committing to a 25+ year career on the assumption that current benefit levels are guaranteed indefinitely. Confirm the current funded status and contribution rate with your specific department or the state pension division.
Cost of Living — What Your Salary Actually Buys
New Jersey has the highest property taxes in the United States, and that burden falls heavily on homeowners regardless of income level — it's one of the biggest hidden costs firefighters in this state need to budget for. Housing in northern New Jersey near New York City, particularly Hudson and Bergen counties, is very expensive. South Jersey and more rural parts of the state are considerably more affordable, though career fire department opportunities are more limited there. New Jersey's state income tax is moderate by national standards, but the property tax burden is what really shapes real take-home value for homeowning firefighters.
How to Compare Two New Jersey Departments
- Match the same rank and step (entry vs. 5-year vs. top step) — comparing an entry rate at one department to a top-step rate at another isn't a fair comparison.
- Confirm the schedule type and how overtime is calculated under the current contract.
- Get the actual PFRS contribution rate and ask about the fund's current reported funded status — not just the benefit formula.
- Ask for healthcare premium costs for your specific coverage tier.
- Subtract deductions and factor in property taxes for that specific municipality, then compare realistic take-home against housing costs.
- Add conservative overtime assumptions — use low-end estimates, not maximum-scenario numbers, when deciding between offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average firefighter salary in New Jersey?
New Jersey's statewide average runs above the national BLS median of $59,530 (May 2024) — Glassdoor puts it at $73,074, and Newark specifically averages $78,938, about 9% above the national figure. Career firefighters typically earn $76,000–$96,000 in base pay depending on rank, step, and department, with top earners statewide clearing $106,000–$123,000. With realistic overtime in Newark or Jersey City, total compensation can range from $110,000–$150,000.
Do New Jersey firefighters get a pension?
Yes. New Jersey career firefighters participate in the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS), a defined-benefit plan with employee contributions around 10% of gross pay. New Jersey's pension system has well-publicized long-term funding challenges, one of the more underfunded systems in the U.S., so it's worth understanding the current funded status before planning a full career around it.
Is New Jersey a good state for a firefighter career?
New Jersey is a high-pay, high-cost state. NYC proximity drives strong compensation, particularly in Hudson and Essex county departments like Jersey City and Newark. The state's PFRS pension funding challenges are the most important long-term risk factor to understand, and New Jersey's property tax burden — the highest in the country — meaningfully affects real take-home value for homeowners. Union culture is strong throughout the state.
Interested in working as a firefighter in New Jersey? See our guide to starting a firefighter career — requirements, CPAT, written exam, and academy explained step by step.
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