Salary by Profession in the UK: Compare Jobs, Regions and Pay LevelsHow Much Do Firefighters Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide
Complete guide to firefighter salaries in the UK for 2026. Trainee to chief fire officer pay, retained firefighter rates, overtime, specialist roles, pension, and career progression in the fire service.
Firefighting is a highly respected public service career with structured pay, a defined benefit pension, and clear progression. Here’s what firefighters earn at every level.
For a broader comparison across occupations and pay bands, see our Salary by Profession hub.
Wholetime Firefighter Pay Scale (England, NJC 2026/27 settlement)
The NJC agreed a 3.8% pay increase effective 1 July 2026. Figures below are the current rates confirmed by the Fire Brigades Union.
Operational Roles
| Role/Rank | Salary |
|---|
| Trainee / Firefighter (development) | £31,539 |
| Firefighter (competent) | £40,358 |
| Crew Manager (development) | £42,892 |
| Crew Manager (competent) | £44,742 |
| Watch Manager (development) | £45,711 |
| Watch Manager A (competent) | £46,980 |
| Watch Manager B | £50,034 |
| Station Manager (development) | £52,040 |
| Station Manager A | £53,604 |
| Station Manager B | £57,402 |
| Group Manager (development) | £59,937 |
| Group Manager A | £61,736 |
| Group Manager B | £66,445 |
| Area Manager (development) | £70,368 |
| Area Manager A | £72,476 |
| Area Manager B | £77,186 |
Principal Officers
| Role | Salary Range |
|---|
| Assistant Chief Fire Officer | £85,000-£110,000 |
| Deputy Chief Fire Officer | £100,000-£130,000 |
| Chief Fire Officer / Commissioner | £120,000-£170,000+ |
| London Fire Commissioner | £200,000+ |
Retained (On-Call) Firefighter Pay
Retained firefighters work on-call alongside other employment.
Pay Structure
| Component | Annual/Rate |
|---|
| Annual retaining fee | 10% of wholetime salary (approx. £3,150-£4,040 at 2026/27 rates) |
| Turnout fee (per callout, first hour) | £15-£20 |
| Subsequent hours | £15-£20/hour |
| Disturbance fee (nights) | Additional payment |
| Drill nights (weekly training) | Paid per session |
Typical Annual Retained Earnings
| Activity Level | Annual Earnings |
|---|
| Low callout area | £3,000-£5,000 |
| Medium callout area | £5,000-£8,000 |
| Busy area | £8,000-£14,000 |
| With additional duties | £10,000-£16,000 |
Additional Payments and Allowances
Overtime and Additional Duty
| Payment | Details |
|---|
| Overtime (pre-arranged) | Time and a third |
| Overtime (casual/recall) | Time and a half |
| Bank holiday working | Double time |
| Detached duty allowance | For temporary postings |
| Flexible duty supplement | 20% (for station manager+ with flexible attendance) |
| CPD payment | For maintaining specialist skills |
Specialist Roles
Specialist roles are usually at the same pay grade but may attract additional payments.
| Specialism | Rank | Additional Pay |
|---|
| Urban search and rescue (USAR) | Varies | CPD payment |
| Water rescue | Varies | CPD payment |
| Rope rescue (line rescue) | Varies | CPD payment |
| Hazmat / CBRN | Varies | CPD payment |
| Fire investigation | Usually Watch Manager+ | None (role-based) |
| Training instructor | Varies | None (role-based) |
| Control room operator | FF-WM equivalent | Same pay scale |
Fire Control Room Staff
| Role | Basic annual salary from 1 July 2026 |
|---|
| Firefighter (Control), development | £29,962 |
| Firefighter (Control), competent | £38,340 |
| Crew Manager (Control), development to competent | £40,747-£42,505 |
| Watch Manager (Control), development to Competent B | £43,425-£47,532 |
| Station Manager (Control), development to Competent B | £49,438-£54,532 |
| Group Manager (Control), development to Competent B | £56,940-£63,123 |
Source: National Joint Council for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services, circular NJC/2/26 (Pay award 2026), Appendix C, rates from 1 July 2026. Control roles are paid at 95% of the matching firefighting role’s basic annual salary.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland (SFRS)
| Rank | Salary |
|---|
| Firefighter (competent) | Broadly aligned with England |
| Watch Manager | Similar structure |
| Chief Officer | £190,000+ |
Northern Ireland (NIFRS)
| Factor | Details |
|---|
| Pay scales | Broadly aligned with England/Wales |
| Retained system | Operates similarly |
Firefighter Pension Scheme (2015)
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Type | Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) |
| Accrual rate | 1/59.7 of pensionable pay received each year |
| Normal pension age | 60 (not State Pension Age) |
| Lump sum | Can exchange pension for lump sum |
| Death in service | Lump sum + survivor pension |
| Ill-health retirement | Available (enhanced benefits) |
Contribution Rates
Member contribution rates are tiered by pensionable pay and are updated from time to time, so check the current rates with your fire and rescue authority or the scheme administrator.
Example Pension
Example (simplified). Each year earns 1/59.7 of that year’s pensionable pay. The table ignores the yearly revaluation of earned pension, so real pensions would be higher.
| Scenario | Annual pension earned (before revaluation) |
|---|
| 30 years at average £35,000 | ~£17,600 |
| 35 years at average £37,000 | ~£21,700 |
| 25 years at average £45,000 (watch manager) | ~£18,800 |
How to Become a Firefighter
Entry Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|
| Age | 18+ (no upper limit in most services) |
| Education | Basic English and maths (varies by service) |
| Fitness | Pass national fitness tests |
| Driving | Full UK driving licence |
| Health | Full occupational health assessment |
| Criminal record | DBS check |
| Swimming | Some services require swimming ability |
Selection Process
| Stage | Details |
|---|
| Online application | Situational judgement tests |
| Written tests | Reasoning, understanding information |
| Fitness tests | Bleep test, grip strength, equipment carry |
| Practical tests | Ladder climb, casualty evacuation, hose running |
| Interview | Values-based / competency-based |
| Medical | Full occupational health check |
| References / DBS | Background checks |
Training
| Stage | Duration |
|---|
| Initial training course | 12-16 weeks (residential) |
| Development phase | 2-3 years to reach competent firefighter |
Career Progression
| Stage | Service | Rank | Salary |
|---|
| Trainee | Year 1 | Trainee/Development FF | £31,539 |
| Development | Years 1-3 | Development FF | £31,539 |
| Competent | Years 3+ | Competent FF | £40,358 |
| First promotion | Years 5-10 | Crew Manager | £42,892-£44,742 |
| Second promotion | Years 8-15 | Watch Manager | £45,711-£50,034 |
| Middle management | Years 12-20 | Station Manager | £52,040-£57,402 |
| Senior management | Years 15+ | Group/Area Manager | £58,000-£72,000 |
| Principal officer | Years 20+ | CFO/DCFO/ACFO | £85,000-£170,000+ |
Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|
| Pension | Defined benefit, normal pension age 60 |
| Annual leave | 25-30 days + bank holidays |
| Shift pattern | Typically 2 days, 2 nights, 4 off (varies) |
| Fitness facilities | On-station gym access |
| Blue Light Card | Discounts at 14,000+ retailers |
| Job security | Strong — essential service |
| Community respect | Highly trusted profession |
Summary
| Rank | Salary |
|---|
| Trainee firefighter | £31,539 |
| Competent firefighter | £40,358 |
| Crew Manager | £42,892-£44,742 |
| Watch Manager | £45,711-£50,034 |
| Station Manager | £52,040-£57,402 |
| Group/Area Manager | £58,000-£72,000 |
| Retained firefighter | £3,000-£14,000/year |
| Pension age | 60 |