Fireman Salary UK 2026: Pay Rates, Age Bands and Eligibility Explained

Fireman Salary UK 2026: What You Need to Know About Pay, Age Bands and Eligibility

The term “fireman salary” is still widely used by job seekers, though the official title is firefighter. Pay for firefighters in the UK is set by the National Joint Council (NJC) for Local Authority Fire and Rescue Services, with rates negotiated nationally and updated annually. This guide covers the latest NJC pay award from July 2026, how age bands affect junior firefighters, and what you can expect in terms of take-home pay, overtime, and allowances.

NJC Pay Award 2026: 3.8% Increase

The NJC agreed a 3.8% pay rise effective 1 July 2026, applied to all firefighting roles, control staff, and retained (on-call) personnel. The new rates are published in circular NJC/2/26 and are binding on all fire and rescue services in England and Wales. For a competent firefighter, the basic annual salary is now £40,358, equating to an hourly rate of £18.43. Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the basic rate, so a competent firefighter earns £27.65 per hour for overtime.

Age Bands and Junior Firefighters

Junior firefighters (those under 18) are paid according to their age, with rates uplifted to comply with the National Minimum Wage. From July 2026:

• Aged 16 or 17: £27,756 per year
• Aged 18: £30,277 per year

These rates are set by the NJC but must at least meet the statutory minimum wage for the relevant age group. For comparison, the National Minimum Wage for under-18s is £8.00 per hour, and for 18–20 year olds it is £10.85 per hour. The junior firefighter salary reflects a full-time 42-hour week, so the hourly rate for a 16-year-old is approximately £12.68, which is above the statutory minimum.

Wholetime Firefighter Pay Scales (from July 2026)

The NJC sets pay for each role and stage of development. Here are the key annual salaries:

• Firefighter (development): £31,539
• Firefighter (competent): £40,358
• Crew Manager (competent): £44,742
• Watch Manager (competent A): £46,980
• Station Manager (competent A): £53,604
• Group Manager (competent A): £61,736
• Area Manager (competent A): £72,476

Roles above watch manager (group manager and above) do not receive overtime; instead they are on a flexible duty supplement. The hourly rates for these roles range from £27.37 (group manager development) to £35.24 (area manager competent B).

Control and Non-Operational Staff

Fire control operators are paid at 95% of the equivalent firefighting role. For example, a competent firefighter (control) earns £38,340 basic annual (95% of £40,358). Non-operational staff, such as fire control operator equivalents, have their own pay band:

• First six months: £27,835
• After six months and during 2nd year: £27,835
• 3rd year: £28,210
• 4th year: £29,596
• 5th year: £32,236
• Leading Fire Control Operator equivalent: £34,523
• Senior Fire Control Operator equivalent (2nd year): £36,748

These rates were also uplifted where necessary to meet the National Living Wage.

Retained (On-Call) Firefighters

Retained firefighters are paid a retainer plus fees for attending drills and incidents. The average annual retainer reported in the 2025 Workforce Survey was £4,493.88, with average gross total pay of £10,496.64. Earnings vary widely depending on availability and call-out frequency.

Average Earnings and the Gender Pay Gap

The Firefighters’ Workforce Survey 2025, conducted by the Local Government Association, provides a snapshot of actual earnings. The average basic annual salary for wholetime firefighting personnel was £42,474.48, with average gross pay (including overtime and allowances) of £44,760.00. For control-specific roles, average basic pay was £36,705.72 and gross pay £38,625.12.

A gender pay gap exists: full-time male firefighters earned 5% higher basic salary and 7% higher gross pay than female colleagues. This is partly due to differences in overtime and CPD uptake. In control roles, female staff earned 3% more in gross pay than male staff.

Overtime, CPD and Additional Allowances

• Overtime: 46% of wholetime firefighters received overtime, averaging £3,945.84 per year.
• Continual Professional Development (CPD): 59% of wholetime firefighters received CPD payments, averaging £1,106.64 per year.
• Additional Responsibility Allowance (ARA): 9% of wholetime firefighters received ARA, median £750 per year.

These extras can significantly boost take-home pay, but they are not guaranteed and depend on service needs and individual qualifications.

How Statutory Minimum Wage Affects Firefighter Pay

All firefighter salaries must comply with the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. The NJC rates are well above the statutory minima for most roles, but junior firefighters and some control operator equivalents were specifically uplifted in 2026 to meet the legal floor. For the latest statutory rates, see our UK Minimum Wage, pay guides, and pay data pages.

Summary

The fireman salary in the UK is determined by role, development stage, and age. A competent firefighter earns £40,358 per year, while junior firefighters aged 16–17 earn £27,756. Overtime, CPD payments, and allowances can add several thousand pounds to annual earnings. Always check your contract and the current NJC circular for the exact rates applicable to your service.

For more detailed breakdowns by role and region, visit our topics page or read about about how we compile this data.