Firefighter Salary Calculator
Estimate your total annual take-home pay based on rank, location allowances, years of service, and average overtime across the UK Fire Service.
Calculate Your Annual Earnings
Enter your current rank, location, and service details to get a realistic estimate of your total gross salary, including allowances and overtime.
Service Specifications
Enter your fire service details
Salary Evaluation
Estimated total gross annual compensation
Approximate UK Pay Scales
Baseline annual salaries (excluding overtime) for standard progression steps. Figures are approximate and based on recent national agreements.
| Rank | Base Salary (Rest of UK) | With Inner London Weighting | Est. Max with Overtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefighter | £30,500 | ~£38,100 | ~£45,000 |
| Leading Firefighter | £34,500 | ~£43,100 | ~£50,000 |
| Sub-Officer | £38,500 | ~£48,100 | ~£56,000 |
| Station Officer | £43,500 | ~£54,300 | ~£63,000 |
Firefighter Pay FAQ
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about fire service compensation and progression in the UK.
Firefighter pay in the UK is determined by a national pay scale based on rank (e.g., Firefighter, Leading Firefighter, Sub-Officer) and years of service. Additional allowances, such as London weighting, and overtime hours can significantly increase total annual earnings.
Firefighters working in London receive a location allowance to account for the higher cost of living. Inner London weighting typically adds around 20-25% to the base salary, while Outer London adds approximately 15%, compared to the rest of the UK baseline.
Yes, firefighters are compensated for overtime work, such as covering additional shifts, bank holidays, or special events. Overtime is usually paid at an enhanced hourly rate (e.g., time and a half or double time), which can add several thousand pounds to annual earnings.
A newly hired firefighter typically progresses through incremental pay steps annually. It generally takes about 5 to 6 years of continuous service to reach the maximum base pay for the ‘Firefighter’ rank before promotion to Leading Firefighter or Sub-Officer.