Wisconsin Firefighter Salary (2026) – City Breakdown, Overtime & Real Take-Home
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Wisconsin firefighter compensation varies by department, schedule, overtime policy, and benefits. This guide breaks down what Wisconsin 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: $58,940):
Level
Annual Base Pay
Entry-level (probation / step 1)
$46,000–$58,000
Mid-career (5–10 years)
$62,000–$78,000
Top-step Firefighter
$74,000–$92,000
With overtime (realistic)
$88,000–$115,000
Engineer / Driver-Operator
$80,000–$98,000
Captain
$95,000–$122,000
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
Milwaukee Fire Department
$56,000–$90,000
Largest department in Wisconsin. High call volume, consistent OT. Strong IAFF Local 215 contract.
Madison Fire Department
$58,000–$92,000
State capital and university city; above-average pay for Wisconsin. Well-funded department.
Green Bay Fire Department
$52,000–$82,000
Northeast Wisconsin hub; consistent employment.
Kenosha Fire Department
$54,000–$84,000
Chicago metro proximity lifts wages; commuter corridor.
Overtime and Premium Pay
Milwaukee has consistent OT driven by call volume and staffing. Madison has more moderate OT. Chicago market proximity in southeastern Wisconsin (Kenosha, Racine) pulls wages upward.
Use the Salary Comparison Tool to model different overtime assumptions before comparing departments.
Retirement and Pension
Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). Defined-benefit with additional account. Employee contributions approximately 6.75% of gross. WRS is consistently ranked as one of the best-funded public pension systems in the U.S. — a significant long-term advantage.
Cost of Living — What Your Salary Actually Buys
Wisconsin has moderate cost of living. Milwaukee and Madison are both below national average for housing. Property taxes are above average. Wisconsin winters are a quality-of-life factor.
WI Firefighter Career Outlook
Wisconsin offers solid mid-tier compensation with one of the best-funded pension systems in the country. WRS pension security is a genuine competitive advantage. Milwaukee and Madison are the primary career markets.
How to Compare Two Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
The BLS mean wage for firefighters in Wisconsin is $58,940. Career firefighters typically earn $62,000–$78,000 in base pay depending on rank, step, and department. With realistic overtime, total compensation ranges from $88,000–$115,000.
Do Wisconsin firefighters get a pension?
Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). Defined-benefit with additional account. Employee contributions approximately 6.75% of gross. WRS is consistently ranked as one of the best-funded public pension systems in the U.S. — a significant long-term advantage.
Is Wisconsin a good state for a firefighter career?
Wisconsin offers solid mid-tier compensation with one of the best-funded pension systems in the country. WRS pension security is a genuine competitive advantage. Milwaukee and Madison are the primary career markets.
