How much do retained firefighters earn UK?

Retained (on-call) firefighters earn significantly less than wholetime. Annual retaining fees are approximately £3,000-£5,000 plus callout payments of £15-£25/hour. Most retained firefighters earn £5,000-£12,000/year from the fire service, treating it as a second job alongside their main employment.

Do firefighters get a good pension UK?

The Firefighters' Pension Scheme is excellent. It's a career average scheme accruing at 1/58.7 per year with a normal pension age of 60 (not State Pension Age like most public sector). Firefighters contribute 11-14.5% of salary. A firefighter earning an average of £37,000 for 30 years would get roughly £18,900/year pension from age 60.

Is it hard to become a firefighter UK?

Yes, it's very competitive. Fire services receive thousands of applications per intake. You must pass fitness tests (bleep test, ladder climb, equipment carry), aptitude tests, interviews, and medical assessments. There are no formal educational requirements beyond basic maths and English. The training period is typically 12-16 weeks residential.

How Much Do Firefighters Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide | PocketWise

Q: How much do firefighters earn in the UK 2026?

Wholetime firefighters in the UK earn between £27,178 (trainee) and £37,397 (competent firefighter). Crew managers earn £40,561-£42,531, watch managers earn £43,347-£47,701, and station managers earn £50,276-£55,234. Senior officers earn up to £160,000+. Retained (on-call) firefighters earn less, based on availability and callouts.

How Much Do Firefighters Earn in the UK? — 2026 Salary Guide

Complete guide to firefighter salaries in the UK for 2026. Trainee to chief fire officer pay, retained firefighter rates, overtime, specialist roles, pension, and career progression in the fire service.

By PocketWise · 26 March 2026 · 4 min read

Firefighting is a highly respected public service career with structured pay, an excellent pension, and clear progression. Here’s what firefighters earn at every level.

Wholetime Firefighter Pay Scale (England 2025/26)

Operational Roles

Role/Rank	Salary
Trainee firefighter (during training)	£27,178
Firefighter (development)	£28,560
Firefighter (competent)	£37,397
Crew Manager (development)	£40,561
Crew Manager (competent)	£42,531
Watch Manager (development)	£43,347
Watch Manager A (competent)	£44,604
Watch Manager B	£47,701
Station Manager (development)	£50,276
Station Manager A	£51,906
Station Manager B	£55,234
Group Manager (development)	£57,987
Group Manager A	£59,779
Group Manager B	£63,359
Area Manager (development)	£66,264
Area Manager A	£68,224
Area Manager B	£72,329

Principal Officers

Role	Salary Range
Assistant Chief Fire Officer	£85,000-£110,000
Deputy Chief Fire Officer	£100,000-£130,000
Chief Fire Officer / Commissioner	£120,000-£170,000+
London Fire Commissioner	£200,000+

Retained (On-Call) Firefighter Pay

Retained firefighters work on-call alongside other employment.

Pay Structure

Component	Annual/Rate
Annual retaining fee	10% of wholetime salary (£2,700-£3,700)
Turnout fee (per callout, first hour)	£15-£20
Subsequent hours	£15-£20/hour
Disturbance fee (nights)	Additional payment
Drill nights (weekly training)	Paid per session

Typical Annual Retained Earnings

Activity Level	Annual Earnings
Low callout area	£3,000-£5,000
Medium callout area	£5,000-£8,000
Busy area	£8,000-£14,000
With additional duties	£10,000-£16,000

Additional Payments and Allowances

Overtime and Additional Duty

Payment	Details
Overtime (pre-arranged)	Time and a third
Overtime (casual/recall)	Time and a half
Bank holiday working	Double time
Detached duty allowance	For temporary postings
Flexible duty supplement	20% (for station manager+ with flexible attendance)
CPD payment	For maintaining specialist skills

Specialist Roles

Specialist roles are usually at the same pay grade but may attract additional payments.

Specialism	Rank	Additional Pay
Urban search and rescue (USAR)	Varies	CPD payment
Water rescue	Varies	CPD payment
Rope rescue (line rescue)	Varies	CPD payment
Hazmat / CBRN	Varies	CPD payment
Fire investigation	Usually Watch Manager+	None (role-based)
Training instructor	Varies	None (role-based)
Control room operator	FF-WM equivalent	Same pay scale

Fire Control Room Staff

Role	Salary
Firefighter (Control) trainee	£24,460
Firefighter (Control) competent	£25,696
Crew Manager (Control)	£28,082-£29,457
Watch Manager (Control)	£30,019-£33,036
Station Manager (Control)	£34,803-£38,234
Group Manager (Control)	£40,168-£43,876

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland (SFRS)

Rank	Salary
Firefighter (competent)	Broadly aligned with England
Watch Manager	Similar structure
Chief Officer	£190,000+

Northern Ireland (NIFRS)

Factor	Details
Pay scales	Broadly aligned with England/Wales
Retained system	Operates similarly

Firefighter Pension Scheme (2015)

Key Features

Feature	Details
Type	Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE)
Accrual rate	1/58.7 of pensionable pay per year
Normal pension age	60 (not State Pension Age)
Revaluation	CPI each year
Lump sum	Can exchange pension for lump sum
Death in service	Lump sum + survivor pension
Ill-health retirement	Available (enhanced benefits)

Contribution Rates

Salary	Contribution Rate
Up to £27,818	11.0%
£27,819-£51,515	12.9%
£51,516-£142,381	13.5%
Over £142,381	14.5%

Example Pension

Scenario	Annual Pension at 60
30 years at average £35,000	~£17,900
35 years at average £37,000	~£22,000
25 years at average £45,000 (watch manager)	~£19,200

How to Become a Firefighter

Entry Requirements

Requirement	Details
Age	18+ (no upper limit in most services)
Education	Basic English and maths (varies by service)
Fitness	Pass national fitness tests
Driving	Full UK driving licence
Health	Full occupational health assessment
Criminal record	DBS check
Swimming	Some services require swimming ability

Selection Process

Stage	Details
Online application	Situational judgement tests
Written tests	Reasoning, understanding information
Fitness tests	Bleep test, grip strength, equipment carry
Practical tests	Ladder climb, casualty evacuation, hose running
Interview	Values-based / competency-based
Medical	Full occupational health check
References / DBS	Background checks

Training

Stage	Duration
Initial training course	12-16 weeks (residential)
Development phase	2-3 years to reach competent firefighter

Career Progression

Stage	Service	Rank	Salary
Trainee	Year 1	Trainee FF	£27,178
Development	Years 1-3	Development FF	£28,560
Competent	Years 3+	Competent FF	£37,397
First promotion	Years 5-10	Crew Manager	£40,561-£42,531
Second promotion	Years 8-15	Watch Manager	£43,347-£47,701
Middle management	Years 12-20	Station Manager	£50,276-£55,234
Senior management	Years 15+	Group/Area Manager	£58,000-£72,000
Principal officer	Years 20+	CFO/DCFO/ACFO	£85,000-£170,000+

Benefits

Benefit	Details
Pension	Excellent — retire at 60 with ~30-year pension
Annual leave	25-30 days + bank holidays
Shift pattern	Typically 2 days, 2 nights, 4 off (varies)
Fitness facilities	On-station gym access
Blue Light Card	Discounts at 14,000+ retailers
Job security	Strong — essential service
Community respect	Highly trusted profession

Summary

Rank	Salary
Trainee firefighter	£27,178
Competent firefighter	£37,397
Crew Manager	£40,561-£42,531
Watch Manager	£43,347-£47,701
Station Manager	£50,276-£55,234
Group/Area Manager	£58,000-£72,000
Retained firefighter	£3,000-£14,000/year
Pension age	60