Firefighter Salary Overview in Erie, PA
Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Firefighter pay in Erie, PA at about $73,713.0 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $34,820.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $94,610.0.
Salary estimates are based on data from the Erie, Pa metropolitan area.
If you’re comparing Firefighter salaries in Erie, PA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.
Erie, PA vs. U.S. National Average
Erie, PA pays +24% vs u.s. for Firefighter roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.
| Market | Projected Salary | vs Erie, PA | Market Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA (this guide) | $73,713.0 | Baseline | Local market |
| United States | $59,530.0 | -19% vs U.S. | National baseline |
| Allentown, PA | $80,300.0 | +9% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| Philadelphia, PA | $78,980.0 | +7% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $71,430.0 | -3% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
Firefighter Salary by Experience Level in Erie, PA
Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Erie, PA, this breakdown shows how aFirefighter can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.
| Level | Experience | Projected Salary | Projected Range | Market Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Firefighter | 0-2 years | $45,686.0 | $39,494.0 - $73,713.0 | -23% vs U.S. |
| Mid-Level Firefighter | 3-5 years | $73,713.0 | $45,686.0 - $107,309 | +24% vs U.S. |
| Senior Firefighter | 6-10 years | $107,309 | $73,713.0 - $107,309 | +80% vs U.S. |
| Lead / Principal Firefighter | 10+ years | $107,309 | $107,309 - $130,916 | +80% vs U.S. |
Best Salary Areas Near Erie, PA
Nearby metro areas help show how Firefighter pay changes around Erie, PA. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.
Firefighter Salary by Industry in Erie, PA
Industry premiums in Erie, PA usually come from employers that place the Firefighter role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.
| Industry | Modeled Salary | Reference Range | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities | $105,790 | $74,160.0 - $136,210 | Stronger salary |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $74,930.0 | $38,560.0 - $91,680.0 | Stronger salary |
| Manufacturing | $68,120.0 | $47,810.0 - $101,350 | Stronger salary |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $63,130.0 | $39,770.0 - $106,680 | Competitive |
| Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $60,460.0 | $35,660.0 - $103,110 | Competitive |
| Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $60,460.0 | $35,660.0 - $103,110 | Competitive |
| Educational Services | $54,430.0 | $33,430.0 - $85,780.0 | Competitive |
| Other Services Except Public Administration | $51,850.0 | $26,000.0 - $81,950.0 | Competitive |
Entry-Level Firefighter Salary in Erie, PA
Entry-level Firefighter jobs in Erie, PA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.
For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Firefighter salary guide.
Remote vs Onsite Firefighter Pay in Erie, PA
Remote work can widen the employer pool for Firefighter candidates in Erie, PA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.
| Work Type | Estimated Salary | Experience | Best Fit | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote | $72,238.7 | Market dependent | National hiring pools | High |
| Hybrid | $75,187.3 | Metro dependent | Erie, PA employers | Medium |
| Onsite | $73,713.0 | Location dependent | Local teams and operations | Lower |
Cost of Living vs Salary in Erie, PA
A salary in Erie, PA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.
Top Employers Hiring Firefighters in Erie, PA
Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Firefighter pay tends to be strongest in Erie, PA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.
Erie, PA Compared With Other U.S. Cities
This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherErie, PA is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Firefighter work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.
Firefighter Salary Trends in Erie, PA Over Time
Historical salary trend data for Firefighter in Erie, PA is available across multiple BLS wage years. The chart below shows how the local salary benchmark has changed over time.
* 2024–2026 values are modeled estimates extending from the last confirmed BLS benchmark. The last confirmed BLS figure ($65.0K, 2024) is extended with recent wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available, then replaced when official data is published.
Career Growth Opportunities in Erie, PA
Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.
| Metric | 2026 Outlook |
|---|---|
| Projected employment | 344.9k → 356.7k |
| Typical education | Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. |
| Related experience | Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. |
| Local market anchor | 140 jobs with a median of $73,713.0 |
Factors Affecting Firefighter Salary in Erie, PA
Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.
How to Increase Your Firefighter Salary in Erie, PA
In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.
Firefighter Salary in Erie, PA: FAQs
These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.
These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Firefighter" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.
What is the average Firefighter in Erie, PAs salary?⌄
What is the entry-level Firefighter in Erie, PAs salary?⌄
How much can senior Firefighter in Erie, PAs professionals earn?⌄
Does location affect Firefighter in Erie, PAs salary?⌄
Which skills matter for Firefighter in Erie, PAs salary growth?⌄
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.