Firefighter Salaries in Canada

The average salary for a Firefighter is CA$97,401 per year in Canada. Salaries estimates are based on 204 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Firefighter employees in Canada.

The highest salary for a Firefighter in Canada is CA$120,268 per year.

The lowest salary for a Firefighter in Canada is CA$78,882 per year.

Becoming a firefighter is a great way of providing a reliable income for your family. Salaries for firefighter are very good and are growing at a steady rate. A firefighter’s salary starts higher than the average salary in Canada. Salaries are the highest in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. You can also make more money as a firefighter within urban areas or large city centers. Having years of experience as a firefighter will also gain you a higher salary.

Firefighters in Canada are employed by their city, town, province, or other government employers. Some volunteer abroad or within Canada when natural disasters strike, while others spend time in the military or working for non-profit disaster relief companies. In rural settings, many firefighters are volunteers. In the majority of cases, you will be unionized and your compensation will depend on years of service and earning certain skills, according to your union’s labour contract. Those working in rugged or remote locations, or who fight forest fires with helicopters and water bombers, generally earn more than firefighters in cities or towns. Learning a second language, advanced first aid and CPR, or earning your helicopter pilot’s license are all ways to potentially increase your salary. Some fire departments pay firefighters more for specialized services, like hazmat handling or marine rescue, so earning certifications and learning to operate a variety of machinery and vehicles can also boost your salary.

If you’re a unionized firefighter, you will be unable to negotiate a higher salary, as it is entirely determined by your years of service and skill level, according to your union contract. If you don’t work in a unionized environment, you have a bit more wiggle room. If your quick thinking and decisive actions have saved lives or limited damage, make it known to your employer. Do you do community outreach, teach fire safety, or first aid and CPR? Your employer might reward you. If you’re a volunteer firefighter or don’t have much training, you can propose going to fire school and up-skilling, if it means a higher salary or better job opportunities with the fire department. Your skills as a firefighter are highly specific, so if negotiations don’t work out, you shouldn’t have a problem finding a new job elsewhere in Canada.