Firefighter Salary Calculator UK 2025
Calculate your fire service take-home pay after income tax, National Insurance, and pension contributions. See NJC pay scales for all ranks from Trainee Firefighter to Area Manager, with London weighting and pension deduction options.
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Firefighter Salary UK 2025: NJC Pay Scales by Rank
Firefighter pay in England and Wales is set by the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Authorities Fire Brigades, a body comprising representatives from fire and rescue service employers and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). The NJC negotiates national pay scales that apply to the vast majority of wholetime (full-time) firefighters and fire service managers in England and Wales.
The current NJC pay scales for 2025/26 reflect the pay award negotiated between the FBU and fire service employers. Historically, firefighter pay has been a subject of significant industrial dispute; the 2002 to 2003 Fire Brigades dispute and subsequent pay formula linked firefighter pay to upper quartile manual earnings. However, that formula was later abandoned, and pay determination has since been subject to annual NJC negotiation.
NJC Fire Service Pay Scales by Rank 2025/26
The following table shows the National Joint Council pay scales for all wholetime fire service roles in England and Wales for 2025/26:
| Rank | Annual Salary 2025/26 | Monthly Take-Home (approx) | Monthly Take-Home with Pension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee Firefighter | £29,088 | ~£1,970 | ~£1,660 |
| Firefighter (Development) | £31,144 | ~£2,096 | ~£1,774 |
| Firefighter (Competent) | £37,397 | ~£2,511 | ~£2,132 |
| Crew Manager | £41,217 | ~£2,718 | ~£2,302 |
| Watch Manager B | £43,723 | ~£2,851 | ~£2,417 |
| Watch Manager A | £46,787 | ~£3,013 | ~£2,558 |
| Station Manager B | £50,697 | ~£3,218 | ~£2,731 |
| Station Manager A | £54,507 | ~£3,388 | ~£2,874 |
| Group Manager B | £58,093 | ~£3,547 | ~£3,007 |
| Group Manager A | £62,332 | ~£3,729 | ~£3,164 |
| Area Manager B | £66,963 | ~£3,937 | ~£3,339 |
| Area Manager A | £71,878 | ~£4,163 | ~£3,529 |
The Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2015
Since April 2015, all new firefighters joining the fire service have been enrolled in the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2015 (FPS 2015), a career average revalued earnings (CARE) scheme. This replaced the more generous FPS 1992 (which offered 2/3 final salary at 30 years service, retirement at 55) and the intermediate FPS 2006.
Under FPS 2015, firefighters accrue pension benefits equal to 1/59.7 of their pensionable pay each year, revalued annually in line with CPI inflation. The Normal Pension Age is 60, reduced from 55 under the old scheme. Employee contribution rates under FPS 2015 are tiered:
- Up to £27,374: 11% of pensionable pay
- £27,374 to £51,619: 12.2% of pensionable pay
- £51,619 to £142,500: 14.2% of pensionable pay
- Above £142,500: 15.2% of pensionable pay
Employer contributions are approximately 22.5% of pay. Despite the higher contributions and later retirement age compared to the 1992 scheme, FPS 2015 remains a defined benefit pension of significantly greater value than most private sector arrangements. The pension is inflation-linked and provides a guaranteed income in retirement regardless of investment performance.
Fire Service Pay Compared to Other Emergency Services
Firefighter pay sits in an interesting position relative to other emergency services. A competent firefighter earns £37,397 in 2025/26, which is broadly similar to a police constable at mid-scale (£38,000 to £41,000) and higher than an ambulance paramedic at Band 6 (£37,338 to £44,962 under NHS AfC). However, firefighter pay has historically been a source of industrial tension; the FBU has argued that firefighter pay has fallen significantly in real terms since the 2010s due to below-inflation pay awards in several years.
On-Call (Retained) Firefighters: How Pay Works
Not all firefighters are wholetime employees. A significant proportion of the UK's fire cover — particularly in rural, suburban, and small-town areas — is provided by on-call (retained) firefighters. These individuals have primary employment elsewhere and respond to fire calls during their availability hours.
Retained firefighter pay is structured very differently from wholetime pay. It consists of:
- Annual Retaining Fee: Approximately £2,200 to £4,500 per year for a competent retained firefighter, depending on the hours of availability committed and local service rates.
- Drill/Training Pay: Approximately £13 to £18 per hour attended for weekly drills and periodic training courses.
- Incident Attendance Pay: Approximately £13 to £18 per hour for each incident attended, paid from the time the call comes in until the return to the station.
Total retained firefighter income varies enormously depending on the busyness of the station and the firefighter's availability. A retained firefighter at a moderately busy station might earn £4,000 to £8,000 per year from their fire service role as secondary income. At a very busy urban retained station, earnings can reach £12,000 to £18,000 per year.
Career Progression in the Fire Service
The fire service operates a structured rank hierarchy. Progress from Firefighter to Crew Manager typically requires several years of competent service plus success at an assessment centre. Promotion to Watch Manager and above is competitive and requires demonstrated leadership capability, often supported by the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) qualifications or the Educational Framework for Fire and Rescue.
The Direct Entry programme at station and area manager level was introduced to bring in external leaders, but it has been controversial with the FBU, which argues it undermines the principle of promotion from within. Most fire service managers continue to progress through the ranks, with many reaching Watch Manager level after 8 to 12 years of service.
London Fire Brigade Pay and Allowances
London Fire Brigade (LFB) is the largest fire and rescue service in the UK. LFB firefighters receive national NJC pay scales plus London-specific allowances:
- London Weighting: Approximately £3,900 to £5,000 per year depending on rank
- Unsocial Hours Supplement: Additional pay for shifts covering night hours
- LFB also operates a higher workload due to London's population density and building stock, with firefighters attending significantly more incidents per year than those at most other services
A competent LFB firefighter receives approximately £37,397 + £3,900 = £41,297 basic salary before any overtime or allowances, compared to £37,397 for an equivalent firefighter outside London. After tax, NI, and pension at 12.2%, the LFB firefighter's monthly take-home is approximately £2,315 compared to £2,132 for a firefighter outside London.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for a firefighter in the UK in 2025?
In 2025/26, a trainee firefighter earns £29,088 per year under the NJC pay scales. This rises to £31,144 during the development phase, then increases to £37,397 upon reaching full operational competency, typically after 2 to 3 years. London Fire Brigade firefighters receive an additional London Weighting allowance of approximately £3,900 per year on top of these rates. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own pay structures which are broadly similar.
How much does a firefighter take home per month after tax?
A competent firefighter earning £37,397 takes home approximately £2,511 per month after income tax and NI (before pension). Including FPS 2015 pension contributions at 12.2%, monthly take-home is approximately £2,132. A trainee at £29,088 takes home approximately £1,970 per month before pension, or ~£1,660 after the 11% pension contribution. Use the calculator above for a personalised breakdown including any London weighting.
What is the firefighter pension contribution and how does it work?
Firefighters joining from April 2015 are in FPS 2015, a career average scheme with a Normal Pension Age of 60. Contribution rates: up to £27,374 pay 11%; £27,374-£51,619 pay 12.2%; £51,619-£142,500 pay 14.2%; above £142,500 pay 15.2%. Employer contributions are approximately 22.5%. Firefighters who joined before April 2015 may retain FPS 1992 benefits (final salary, retire at 55) or FPS 2006 benefits for earlier service periods following the McCloud/Sargeant remedy.
What is the difference in pay between whole-time and on-call (retained) firefighters?
Wholetime firefighters are full-time employees on the NJC pay scales. On-call (retained) firefighters receive an annual retaining fee of approximately £2,200 to £4,500, plus incident attendance pay of £13 to £18 per hour and drill payments. Total retained firefighter income from the fire service role ranges from £4,000 to £18,000 per year depending on station busyness and availability hours. Most retained firefighters have another primary job and treat fire service income as supplementary pay.
How long does it take to be promoted from Firefighter to Crew Manager?
There is no fixed minimum time, but firefighters typically need 2 to 3 years to reach competency and then further time to build experience before applying for promotion. Most firefighters realistically apply for Crew Manager after 3 to 6 years of service, depending on the service's assessment schedule and competition for posts. Promotion requires passing an assessment centre. Watch Manager and above roles typically require additional qualifications and a demonstrated leadership track record.
Do London firefighters earn more than those outside London?
Yes. London Fire Brigade firefighters receive the national NJC pay scales plus a London Weighting allowance of approximately £3,900 to £5,000 per year depending on rank. This means a competent LFB firefighter earns approximately £41,300 per year compared to £37,397 outside London. After tax, NI, and the 12.2% pension contribution, a competent LFB firefighter takes home approximately £2,315 per month versus £2,132 outside London.
What additional pay do firefighters receive beyond basic salary?
Firefighters can earn additional pay through: overtime at time-and-a-half or double time; specialist role allowances (Breathing Apparatus Instructor, Rope Rescue, Water Rescue Technician, HAZMAT Adviser) typically adding £500 to £2,000 per year; standby and on-call payments when required to be available outside duty hours; and acting up pay when temporarily covering a higher rank. Some services also pay a competency supplement to firefighters who maintain specific additional competencies such as driving HGV appliances.