Michigan Firefighter Salaries by Department

Starting pay at 30 Michigan fire departments, taken from the pay figures each department published in its own job postings over the last two years. Across 27 current Michigan listings with annual pay, the average starting salary is $62,072.

Highest recent entry-level starting pay in Michigan

1. East Grand Rapids Department of Public Safety $69,370 (Public Safety Officer, September 2026)
2. Warren Fire Department $68,803 (Firefighter, September 2026)
3. Department Of Veterans Affairs Medical Center $65,141 (Firefighter, July 2026)
4. Traverse City Fire Department $61,265 (Firefighter/Paramedic (Lateral Hire), September 2026)
5. Portage Department of Public Safety - Fire Division $58,912 (Firefighter, September 2026)

Michigan departments with official pay schedules

City of Detroit Fire Department $43,043 entry pay a year (Source: Budget, Jul 2026 (FY2026-27))

All Michigan departments with posted pay

Department	Starting pay posted	Top of range	Postings
U.S. Forest Service - Huron Shores Ranger Station · Oscoda	$44,112 to $67,617	$94,687	8
US Forest Service Mio Ranger District · Mio	$44,112 to $67,617	$94,687	8
Munising Ranger District · Munising	$44,112 to $67,617	$94,687	7
Livonia Fire & Rescue · Livonia	$55,640 to $61,872	$85,176	3
Adrian Charter Township Fire Department · Adrian	$20,170	$27,898	1
Adrian Fire Department · Adrian	$20,170	$27,898	1
Allegan Fire District · Allegan	$20,170	$27,898	1
Allegan Township Fire Department · Allegan	$20,170	$27,898	1
City of Jackson Fire Department · Jackson	$55,761	$77,728	1
City of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety · Kalamazoo	$55,779	$92,907	1
Department Of Veterans Affairs Medical Center · Battle Creek	$65,141	$84,797	1
East Grand Rapids Department of Public Safety · East Grand Rapids	$69,370	$84,563	1
Kentwood Fire Department · Kentwood	$101,586	$136,138	1
Lansing Fire Department · Lansing	$56,285	$83,312	1
Madison Township Fire Department · Adrian	$20,170	$27,898	1
Mount Clemens Fire Department · Mount Clemens	$55,596	$73,640	1
Oxford Fire Department · Oxford	$43,680	$58,240	1
Portage Department of Public Safety - Fire Division · Portage	$58,912	Not listed	1
Sterling Heights Fire Department · Sterling Heights	$152,250	$178,640	1
Traverse City Fire Department · Traverse City	$61,265	$77,333	1
Warren Fire Department · Warren	$68,803	$102,658	1
Bishop International Airport · Flint	$15.91/hr	Not listed	1
Charter Township of Flint Fire Department · Flint	$15.91/hr	Not listed	1
Flint Fire Department · Flint	$15.91/hr	Not listed	2
Genesee Township Fire Department Station 2 · Flint	$15.91/hr	Not listed	1
Grand Haven Department of Public Safety · Grand Haven	$21.83/hr	Not listed	1
Howell Area Fire Department · Howell	$23.30/hr	Not listed	1
Michigan Bureau of Fire Services · Lansing	$24.95/hr	Not listed	1
North Berrien Fire Rescue Department · Benton Harbor	$24.22/hr	Not listed	1
Romulus Fire Department · Romulus	$30.00/hr	Not listed	1

Figures are as each department listed them in closed postings. Current openings show their pay to FireJobs members.

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