Public Safety · Austin, TX

Firefighter Salary in Austin, TX (2026)

Median Firefighter salary in Austin is approximately $54,600/year — 5.0% above the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Austin

$54,600
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$26
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$2,100
Monthly
$4,550
Annual (gross)
$54,600
vs Texas state average
State avg: $50,400
+$4,200
vs US national
National median: $52,000
+$2,600

After-tax estimate

$42,779
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$54,600
Federal tax (~14%)
−$7,644
FICA (7.65%)
−$4,177
Texas state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$42,779
Monthly take-home
$3,565
For exact take-home, use our Austin Paycheck Calculator.
Firefighter salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Austin
Chicago, IL1.05×$54,600+$0
Baltimore, MD1.05×$54,600+$0
Stockton, CA1.05×$54,600+$0
Aurora, CO1.05×$54,600+$0
Hialeah, FL1.05×$54,600+$0
Other Public Safety jobs in Austin

Firefighter salaries in Austin, TX

The estimated median Firefighter salary in Austin, Texas is $54,600/year, working out to approximately $26/hour at full-time, $2,100 per biweekly paycheck, or $4,550/month before taxes. Austin's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Texas state average for this role ($50,400), Austin pays about $4,200 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Austin

Of the gross $54,600, you take home roughly $42,779 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Texas state income tax (none)
  • Austin has no local income tax

That works out to about $3,565/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Austin Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Austin pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Austin typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Austin employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Firefighter Salary in Texas — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Austin Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Firefighter salary in Austin?
The estimated median Firefighter salary in Austin, Texas is $54,600 per year, or approximately $26/hour at standard full-time. Austin sits 5.0% above the US national average for this role.
Austin vs Texas state — what's the salary difference?
Austin: $54,600. Texas state average for Firefighter: $50,400. Difference: +$4,200 (8.3%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Austin have a city income tax?
No, Austin has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Texas state tax apply (Texas has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Austin's cost of living relative to the US average. Austin's multiplier is 1.05× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Firefighter in Austin?
Estimate: $42,779/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Texas state tax (~0.0% effective), and Austin local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Austin Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.