Wyoming Firefighter Salary (2026) – City Breakdown, Overtime & Real Take-Home
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Wyoming firefighter compensation varies by department, schedule, overtime policy, and benefits. This guide breaks down what Wyoming 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: $52,640):
Level
Annual Base Pay
Entry-level (probation / step 1)
$44,000–$56,000
Mid-career (5–10 years)
$58,000–$72,000
Top-step Firefighter
$68,000–$84,000
With overtime (realistic)
$80,000–$100,000
Engineer / Driver-Operator
$74,000–$90,000
Captain
$88,000–$110,000
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
Cheyenne Fire Department
$54,000–$84,000
State capital and largest city; primary career department in WY.
Casper Fire-EMS
$50,000–$78,000
Oil/energy city; energy sector fluctuations affect municipal budgets.
Laramie Fire Department
$46,000–$70,000
University of Wyoming city; smaller department.
Overtime and Premium Pay
Limited OT in most Wyoming departments due to smaller population. Wildfire season adds income for certified wildland firefighters. Energy sector incidents create occasional demand spikes.
Use the Salary Comparison Tool to model different overtime assumptions before comparing departments.
Retirement and Pension
Wyoming Retirement System (WRS) Public Safety tier. Defined-benefit. Wyoming has no state income tax — a meaningful take-home advantage.
Cost of Living — What Your Salary Actually Buys
Wyoming has no state income tax and generally low cost of living. Housing is affordable in most of the state. Resort areas (Jackson Hole) have extreme housing costs but no career fire departments at comparable pay.
WY Firefighter Career Outlook
Small state with limited career departments. No state income tax is a genuine advantage. Wildland certifications are valuable. Cheyenne offers the best career stability. Energy sector volatility can affect municipal budgets in oil-dependent cities.
How to Compare Two Wyoming 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 Wyoming?
The BLS mean wage for firefighters in Wyoming is $52,640. Career firefighters typically earn $58,000–$72,000 in base pay depending on rank, step, and department. With realistic overtime, total compensation ranges from $80,000–$100,000.
Do Wyoming firefighters get a pension?
Wyoming Retirement System (WRS) Public Safety tier. Defined-benefit. Wyoming has no state income tax — a meaningful take-home advantage.
Is Wyoming a good state for a firefighter career?
Small state with limited career departments. No state income tax is a genuine advantage. Wildland certifications are valuable. Cheyenne offers the best career stability. Energy sector volatility can affect municipal budgets in oil-dependent cities.
