Reviewed by Mustafa Bilgic
Founder, WebCalculator
Firefighter pay scales are based on NJC grey-book figures and the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2015; tax and NI from HMRC for 2026/27. Estimates only, not financial advice.
Pick your firefighter role — from trainee through competent firefighter to crew, watch and station manager — to see your gross pay and what you take home after Income Tax, National Insurance and the firefighters' pension.
England · pension included
Firefighters in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are paid on a national scale agreed by the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services. Pay rises as you move from trainee to development and then competent firefighter, with higher rates for crew, watch and station managers. Whole-time firefighters on the flexible-duty system or day-crewing receive a percentage allowance on top, and retained (on-call) firefighters are paid a retainer plus fees per call-out.
| Role | Approx. gross 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Trainee firefighter | £28,900 |
| Competent firefighter | £38,500 |
| Crew manager | £41,000–£43,000 |
| Watch manager | £44,000–£48,000 |
| Station manager | £50,000–£55,000 |
Most serving firefighters are in the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2015, with tiered contributions of roughly 11% to 14.5% of pensionable pay. Members still in the older 1992 scheme pay more but accrue benefits faster. Either way the contribution is deducted before tax. Check your wider deductions on the salary calculator or your marginal rate on the income tax calculator.
A trainee firefighter starts on roughly £28,900, rising to around £38,500 once fully competent, with crew, watch and station managers earning more. Whole-time firefighters on the flexible-duty system get an extra allowance on top of basic pay.
Members of the Firefighters' Pension Scheme 2015 pay tiered contributions of around 11% to 14.5% of pensionable pay; the older 1992 scheme charges more. Contributions are taken before Income Tax, so your real cost is lower than the headline rate.
On-call (retained) firefighters are not on a full salary. They receive an annual retainer for being available plus fees for each call-out, drill and training session, so their pay varies with how often they are mobilised.
Yes. Overtime, additional duties and the flexible-duty allowance are taxed as normal earnings at your marginal Income Tax and National Insurance rate, stacking on top of your basic pay.