Firefighter Salary in Canada | By Province

In Canada, the firefighter median salary is $45.79/hr.

Firefighters in Canada: job prospects, employment requirements, licensing.

Firefighters in Canada, classified under NOC 42101, respond to emergencies by fighting fires, conducting search and rescue operations, providing medical assistance, and educating the public on fire prevention while maintaining equipment and stations. Approximately 39,800 people worked in this occupation in 2023, with 28 percent aged 50 and over and a median retirement age of 58. Job prospects indicate a moderate risk of labour shortage nationally through 2033, with about 15,900 projected job openings compared to 14,200 job seekers, driven largely by replacement demand from retirements alongside modest employment growth. Median hourly wages stand at about 45.79 Canadian dollars nationally, with typical ranges from 29.00 to 61.40 dollars per hour depending on experience, location, and department, often requiring postsecondary training in firefighting, physical fitness tests, and ongoing certification. Work conditions typically involve shift schedules such as 24-hour on and 48-hour off rotations or similar patterns in municipal fire departments, with roles that are physically and mentally demanding, including exposure to high-risk situations, irregular hours, overtime during emergencies, and strong emphasis on teamwork, safety protocols, and community service.

Licensing

This occupation is not regulated in Canada. This means that you are not required to be registered with one of the provincial or territorial regulatory bodies to be authorized to practise this occupation in Canada.

FIREFIGHTER (NOC 42101)
2025	Wages/hr
Community/Area	Low	Median	High
Canada	29.00	45.79	61.40
Newfoundland and L	25.00	43.67	54.95
Prince Edward Island	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nova Scotia	21.90	37.98	47.12
New Brunswick	25.00	40.35	50.00
Quebec	20.83	40.17	50.00
Ontario	32.00	48.53	64.58
Manitoba	31.25	43.99	59.00
Saskatchewan	29.76	48.08	57.69
Alberta	28.11	48.43	60.10
British Columbia	36.00	50.00	62.00
Yukon Territory	N/A	56.49	N/A
Northwest Territories	N/A	58.13	N/A
Nunavut	27.90	48.97	77.47
Source: Job Bank. 2026

In 2017, firefighters reported higher wages in Ontario.

FIREFIGHTERS (NOC 4312-B)
2017	Wages ($/hr)
Province/Territory	Low	Median	High
Canada	20.8	37.95	51
Ontario	27.8	41.21	54.8
Alberta	22.5	40	54.2
British Columbia	27	40	52
Manitoba	15	36.06	48.13
Saskatchewan	21	37	48.08
Québec	16.15	31.3	39.8
New Brunswick	11.25	28.04	39.49
Newfoundland and Labrador	11.5	31	37.55
Northwest Territories	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nova Scotia	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nunavut	N/A	N/A	N/A
Prince Edward Island	N/A	N/A	N/A
Yukon	N/A	N/A	N/A
Source: Job Bank. September 2017

In Canada, the median wage for firefighters was $35.71/hr. in 2016.

In 2016, firefighters reported higher wages in Ontario.

FIREFIGHTERS (NOC 4312-B)
2016	Wages ($/hr)
Province/Territory	Low	Median	High
Canada	16.4	35.71	49
Ontario	21.15	38.92	50.37
Alberta	18	37.26	50
British Columbia	17.63	36	50
Saskatchewan	12.75	35	47.12
Nova Scotia	12.31	31.28	43.59
Manitoba	15	32.05	41.67
Québec	15	28	39.8
New Brunswick	10.65	28	38
Newfoundland and L	11.5	31	37.55
Northwest Territories	N/A	N/A	N/A
Nunavut	N/A	N/A	N/A
Prince Edward Island	N/A	N/A	N/A
Yukon	N/A	N/A	N/A
Source: Job Bank. November 2016*

*Wages are reviewed and updated on the Job Bank Web site on an annual basis.

FIREFIGHTER SALARY IN CANADA (2017)

FIREFIGHTER SALARY IN CANADA (2016)