Answers · UK 2025/26

What is a UK firefighter's salary and take-home pay?

A qualified UK firefighter typically earns around £37,000 a year on the standard development or competent firefighter pay point. On £37,000 in 2026/27, take-home pay after Income Tax (£4,886) and National Insurance (£1,954.40) is £30,159.60 a year, or about £2,513.30 a month -- before pension contributions to the Firefighters' Pension Scheme are deducted.

Last updated: 3 July 2026Last reviewed: 3 July 2026How we verify

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Firefighter pay in the UK is set nationally through negotiations between fire and rescue services and the Fire Brigades Union, with local variations for London weighting and specialist roles. A competent, fully-qualified firefighter typically earns in the region of £37,000 a year, with trainee and development pay points starting lower and rising as competencies are achieved, and higher pay for crew managers, watch managers and other promoted roles. On a £37,000 salary in 2026/27: taxable income after the £12,570 Personal Allowance is £24,430, taxed entirely at the 20% basic rate, giving £4,886 Income Tax. National Insurance is 8% of £24,430 = £1,954.40. Combined deductions of £6,840.40 leave £30,159.60 take-home pay a year, around £2,513.30 a month. In addition, most firefighters are enrolled in the Firefighters' Pension Scheme, a valuable defined benefit pension with employee contribution rates typically in the range of 11% to 17% of pensionable pay depending on the scheme and salary band -- this is deducted from gross pay before tax, so it reduces the taxable salary and the Income Tax bill shown above, while also reducing take-home cash pay. Use the Take-Home Pay calculator with your actual pension contribution rate for a precise net figure.