Firefighter / EMT.
Salt Lake City.
$54,000
median salary, 2% above the national average
$41,000 to $71,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Firefighter / EMT offer in Salt Lake City, UT, here is the reality: $41,000 to $71,000, with $54,000 as the midpoint. 2% above the national average. Geographic location and department type create the largest pay differences. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $49,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$35,000
to $43,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$46,000
to $57,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$59,000
to $70,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$68,000
to $84,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $15,000 to the total package.
Base
$54,000
Equity
$9,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $69,000
How Salt Lake City compares
Salt Lake City, UT
$54,000
Cost of living: 2% below average
National Average
$53,000
Salt Lake City is $1,000 above
Firefighter / EMT salary by city
Salary by role in Salt Lake City
What you should know
Here is what the Firefighter / EMT market actually looks like in Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City anchors the Silicon Slopes tech corridor, home to companies like Qualtrics, Pluralsight, and Domo. The region has attracted significant venture investment and tech relocations. Utah's business friendly environment, young educated workforce, and outdoor lifestyle make it a rising destination for tech professionals seeking affordability without sacrificing career growth. Geographic location and department type create the largest pay differences. Urban departments in high-cost metros pay 40 to 60% more than rural volunteer or small-town departments. Paramedic certification, hazmat specialization, and technical rescue qualifications add meaningful premiums. Union representation strongly influences base pay and overtime rules.
Probationary firefighters start at $40,000 to $48,000. Senior firefighters and paramedics earn $53,000 to $70,000 after four to six years. Lieutenants reach $65,000 to $85,000, captains earn $75,000 to $100,000, and battalion chiefs earn $95,000 to $130,000. In Salt Lake City, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Overtime and specialty pay can add 20 to 40% to base salary through Kelly Day scheduling and mandatory overtime. Pension benefits are among the strongest in public service, with many departments offering retirement at 50 to 55 with 50 to 70% salary replacement. Health coverage is typically comprehensive. And on the tax side: utah has a flat 4.65% state income tax. Salt Lake City imposes no additional city income tax. The moderate rate combined with affordable living costs results in strong net compensation. When someone quotes you $54,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference Silicon Slopes growth when negotiating. Local employers are increasingly matching 85 to 95% of Seattle or Bay Area salaries to compete for tech talent. The range for Firefighter / EMTs in Salt Lake City runs from $41,000 to $71,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Sales Development Representative in Salt Lake City earns $55,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Salt Lake City is Chief AI Officer at $292,000
Common questions.
Firefighter / EMT salary in other cities
Other salaries in Salt Lake City
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