salary$82,820 a year$40 an hour · median pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$42,080per year
Top pay (top 10%)$112,930per year
Jobs in the area14,560people work this job
Can a firefighter afford Chicago?
OK. Rent of $1,983 a month takes 28.7% of the median firefighter salary. That is under the 30% rule, so one paycheck covers rent comfortably.
Firefighter pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Chicago
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Chicago, IL?
The median pay for a firefighter in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN area is $82,820 a year ($40 an hour). Most earn between $42,080 and $112,930.
Can a firefighter afford to live in Chicago?
Typical rent of $1,983 a month takes 28.7% of the median firefighter salary, which we rate OK.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area.