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Firefighter salary WA: what you can expect to earn
Firefighter salary WA: compare offers using the Salary Index. WA's state index is 106.9, above the national line. Award rates and experience affect pay.
The exact firefighter salary in WA is uncertain, but the state's overall earnings index of 106.9 suggests pay above the national average, with award rates and experience playing a key role.
Firefighter salary WA: reading a job ad and comparing offers
When you see a job ad for a firefighter in Western Australia, the salary figure can be hard to interpret. Is it competitive? How does it stack up against other roles or the national average? The Salary Index helps you answer that by putting any pay figure against the national line, where 100 equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings ($108,352 per year based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026).
What the WA state index tells you
WA’s state index is 106.9, which annualises to about $115,825. That means full-time workers in WA typically earn nearly 7% above the national average. If a firefighter salary in WA is advertised at, say, $95,000, you can calculate its index: 95,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 87.7. That would be below the state average but still above the national minimum wage index of 48.2. If the ad says $120,000, the index is about 110.8, above both the state and national lines.
But remember: the state index is a broad benchmark. It covers all full-time adult workers in WA, not just firefighters. Your actual pay depends on your classification, experience, and employer.
Award coverage and minimum rates
Most firefighters in WA are covered by the Firefighting Industry Award 2020 or a state-specific award. The award sets minimum hourly rates for different classifications. For example, a Level 1 firefighter might have a base rate, while a station officer earns more. Award rates rose by 4.75% from 1 July 2026, in line with the national minimum wage increase. The national minimum wage itself is $26.44 per hour, but award rates are typically higher.
If you’re comparing a job offer, check whether the salary is above the award minimum. Many employers, especially state fire services, pay above award through enterprise agreements. The pay guides on our site can help you understand typical award structures.
Super and tax considerations
From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on ordinary-time earnings, up to a maximum contribution base of $270,830. So if your firefighter salary is $100,000, your employer adds $12,000 to super. That’s part of your total remuneration package.
For tax, the 2026–27 resident rates (excluding Medicare) are: nil up to $18,200, 15% from $18,201 to $45,000, 30% from $45,001 to $135,000, 37% from $135,001 to $190,000, and 45% above $190,000. Plus a 2% Medicare levy. A firefighter earning $95,000 would pay about $20,467 in tax plus $1,900 Medicare levy, leaving around $72,633 take-home (ignoring HELP, salary sacrifice, or surcharges).
How to use the index when you have multiple offers
Suppose you have two offers: one from a metropolitan fire station at $98,000 and another from a remote station at $110,000. Calculate their indices: 98,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 90.5; 110,000 ÷ 108,352 × 100 = 101.5. The remote offer is above the national line, while the metro offer is below. But consider the cost of living: remote areas may have higher housing costs or allowances. The states page can show you how WA compares to other states.
Also look at the industry index. Firefighting isn’t listed separately, but you can compare to related industries like public administration or emergency services. The industries page has benchmarks for sectors like health care (index 97.8) or education (105.5).
Caveats and uncertainties
We don’t have a precise median firefighter salary for WA. The figures here are based on the state index and award assumptions. Your actual pay may differ due to enterprise agreements, allowances (e.g., for breathing apparatus, hazardous work), or overtime. Always check the specific award or agreement for your role. For more on how the index works, see how the index works.
Summary
When you read a job ad for a firefighter in WA, use the Salary Index to see where the pay sits relative to the national line. WA’s state index of 106.9 suggests pay is generally above average, but your individual salary depends on classification, experience, and employer. Compare offers using the index, factor in super and tax, and always verify against the relevant award. For more topics, visit our topics page.
Questions people ask
What is the average firefighter salary in WA?
There is no single published average for firefighters in WA. Pay depends on the award classification, years of service, and any enterprise agreement. The WA state earnings index of 106.9 ($115,825 annualised) gives a general benchmark for full-time workers in the state, but firefighter pay may differ. Check the Firefighting Industry Award or your employer’s agreement for specific rates.
How does firefighter pay in WA compare to the national average?
WA’s state index of 106.9 is above the national line of 100 ($108,352 annualised). This suggests that full-time workers in WA, including many firefighters, tend to earn more than the national average. However, firefighter pay is influenced by award classifications, so individual salaries may be above or below the state benchmark.
What factors affect firefighter salary in WA?
Key factors include: classification level (e.g., firefighter, senior firefighter, station officer), years of service, any enterprise agreement or workplace determination, location (remote or urban), and overtime or penalty rates. The Firefighting Industry Award sets minimum rates, but many employers pay above award. Superannuation at 12% also adds to total remuneration.