Public Safety · Mesa, AZ

Firefighter Salary in Mesa, AZ (2026)

Median Firefighter salary in Mesa is approximately $50,400/year — 3.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Mesa

$50,400
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$24
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$1,938
Monthly
$4,200
Annual (gross)
$50,400
vs Arizona state average
State avg: $52,000
-$1,600
vs US national
National median: $52,000
-$1,600

After-tax estimate

$36,968
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$50,400
Federal tax (~14%)
−$7,056
FICA (7.65%)
−$3,856
Arizona state tax
~5% effective
−$2,520
Estimated take-home
$36,968
Monthly take-home
$3,081
For exact take-home, use our Mesa Paycheck Calculator.
Firefighter salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Mesa
Jacksonville, FL0.97×$50,400+$0
Charlotte, NC0.97×$50,400+$0
Houston, TX0.96×$49,900-$500
Fort Worth, TX0.96×$49,900-$500
Tucson, AZ0.96×$49,900-$500
Other Public Safety jobs in Mesa

Firefighter salaries in Mesa, AZ

The estimated median Firefighter salary in Mesa, Arizona is $50,400/year, working out to approximately $24/hour at full-time, $1,938 per biweekly paycheck, or $4,200/month before taxes. Mesa's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.97× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Arizona state average for this role ($52,000), Mesa pays about $1,600 less. 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 Mesa

Of the gross $50,400, you take home roughly $36,968 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Arizona state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Mesa has no local income tax

That works out to about $3,081/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 Mesa 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 Mesa pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Mesa 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 Mesa employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Firefighter Salary in Arizona — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Mesa 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 Mesa?
The estimated median Firefighter salary in Mesa, Arizona is $50,400 per year, or approximately $24/hour at standard full-time. Mesa sits 3.0% below the US national average for this role.
Mesa vs Arizona state — what's the salary difference?
Mesa: $50,400. Arizona state average for Firefighter: $52,000. Difference: -$1,600 (3.1%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Mesa have a city income tax?
No, Mesa has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Arizona state tax apply (roughly 5% effective state rate at this income).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Mesa's cost of living relative to the US average. Mesa's multiplier is 0.97× 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 Mesa?
Estimate: $36,968/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Arizona state tax (~5.0% effective), and Mesa local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Mesa Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.