Virginia Firefighter Salaries by Department

Starting pay at 25 Virginia fire departments, taken from the pay figures each department published in its own job postings over the last two years. Across 50 current Virginia listings with annual pay, the average starting salary is $56,162.

Highest recent entry-level starting pay in Virginia

1. Loudoun County Fire and Rescue $65,139 (Firefighter Recruit-Accelerated Academy, September 2026)
2. Fort Belvoir Fire Department $63,940 (Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support / Hazardous Materials Technician), September 2026)
3. Fort Myer Fire Department $63,940 (Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support / Hazardous Materials Technician), September 2026)
4. Petersburg Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services $61,734 (Firefighter, July 2026)
5. Fort Lewis Volunteer Fire Department (Roanoke County Fire & Rescue) $60,418 (Firefighter Paramedic, August 2026)

All Virginia departments with posted pay

Department	Starting pay posted	Top of range	Postings
Hampton Division of Fire and Rescue · Hampton	$56,510 to $57,319	$88,133	3
Fort Belvoir Fire Department · Fort Belvoir	$63,940 to $70,623	$91,815	2
Fort Lee Fire and Emergency Services · Fort Lee	$52,710 to $64,475	$83,822	2
Fort Lewis Volunteer Fire Department (Roanoke County Fire & Rescue) · Salem	$52,192 to $60,418	$96,669	2
Fort Myer Fire Department · Fort Myer	$63,940 to $70,623	$91,815	2
Mount Weather Fire & Rescue · Mount Weather	$46,610 to $67,617	$94,687	2
Virginia Air National Guard Fire and Rescue · Sandston	$52,710 to $64,475	$83,822	2
Alexandria Fire Department · Alexandria	$68,098	$104,718	1
Charlottesville Fire Department · Charlottesville	$162,024	Not listed	1
Clifton Forge Fire Department · Clifton Forge	$38,900	$47,000	1
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department · Fairfax	$60,894	$106,565	1
Frederick County Fire and Rescue · Winchester	$57,108	Not listed	1
King William County Fire & EMS · King William	$47,500	$68,000	1
Loudoun County Fire and Rescue · Leesburg	$65,139	$115,243	1
Newport News Fire Department · Newport News	$55,960	Not listed	1
Norfolk Airport Authority Fire Department · Norfolk	$57,142	Not listed	1
Petersburg Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services · Petersburg	$61,734	Not listed	1
Quantico Fire & Emergency Services · Quantico	$57,736	$75,059	1
Salem Fire & EMS Department · Salem	$52,192	$83,507	1
Spotsylvania County Department of Fire Rescue & Emergency Management · Spotsylvania	$58,147	$98,849	1
Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department · Stafford	$94,502	$163,370	1
Tappahannock-Essex Volunteer Fire Department · Tappahannock	$45,029	$60,000	1
Virginia Beach Fire Department · Virginia Beach	$55,058	$90,085	1
Willamsburg Fire Department · Williamsburg	$56,175	Not listed	1
Roanoke County Fire and Rescue Department · Roanoke	$22.48/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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