Chicago Fire Department Firefighter Salary
Chicago, Illinois · Cook County · 4,881 career firefighters · 100 stations
Official pay at Chicago Fire Department
From the department's pay plan, effective Jan 2026 (2026).
Entry pay
$74,526
a year
Top step pay
$111,252
a year
Source: Pay plan, Jan 2026 (2026)
Chicago Fire Department starting pay over time
Newest first. Official figures come from the department's pay schedules; posting figures are the most recent closed entry level posting with annual pay in each year.
Chicago Fire Department pay questions
- What is the official firefighter pay at Chicago Fire Department?
- Chicago Fire Department's pay plan, effective 2026-01-01 · 2026, sets entry firefighter pay at $74,526 a year, rising to $111,252 at the top step.
- Is Chicago Fire Department hiring right now?
- No openings from Chicago Fire Department are listed on FireJobs today. Departments with 4,881 career firefighters usually post once or twice a year. Free weekly alerts for Illinois cover it when they do.
Source: the department's official pay schedule, linked above with its effective date. Pay changes with contracts and steps; the posting for a current opening is the figure that applies.