Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Firefighters Employment & Job Outlook in Illinois (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Illinois employs 18,400 Firefighters professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Illinois employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19

Total Employed
18,400
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
18.4
workers
Location Quotient
2.63
vs national avg
Average Salary
$76K
annual

High Demand in Illinois

The location quotient (LQ) of 2.63 indicates that Illinois has a higher-than-average concentration of Firefighters professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Illinois vs National Average

Total Employed
18,400
National: 343,370
5.4% of national
Jobs per 1,000
18.4
National: 7.01
+162.5%
Average Salary
$76K
National: $59K
+29.5%

Top States by Firefighters Employment

#1
31,470
31,470
employed
#2
28,170
28,170
employed
#3
24,570
24,570
employed
#4
19,410
19,410
employed
#5
18,400
18,400
employed
#6
18,100
18,100
employed
#7
12,950
12,950
employed
#8
12,700
12,700
employed
#9
11,940
11,940
employed
#10
11,160
11,160
employed

What Does a Firefighters Earn in Illinois?

The average annual salary for a Firefighters in Illinois is $76,530. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Firefighters jobs are there in Illinois?

Illinois employs approximately 18,400 Firefighters professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks Illinois among the top states nationwide.

Is Firefighters in demand in Illinois?

Yes — Illinois has above-average concentration of Firefighters jobs (LQ: 2.63). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Firefighters in Illinois?

The average (mean) salary for Firefighters in Illinois is $76530/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Firefighters professionals?

The top state for Firefighters employment is California with 31,470 jobs.

Find Your Next Opportunity

Related Pages

Top Cities in Illinois

Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for Illinois's largest cities.

Top Colleges in Illinois

Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Illinois's leading institutions.

Firefighters Employment in Other States

Compare Firefighters labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.

All Firefighters & Illinois Resources

Drill deeper into Firefighters pay, hiring, and education data for Illinois.

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Firefighters (SOC 332011) in Illinois.

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy