Any firefighters out there?

[Metallisteve]

Remember, the cost of living between Charlotte and South FL is very different (SFL being much higher). I'm sure it may be difficult to get some fancy charts and statistical data to support that claim, but I've lived in and/or visited (extensively) both areas and know it first hand. That would be the reason for lower pay here than South FL. But rest assured, that doesn't automatically mean a lower quality of life! I dare your friend to find a suitable house to live in located in a nice area for under $200k in South FL (within an eon's drive to work)!

According to real data from 2008, the average salary for the Charlotte FD (searching the position "fire fighter") was/is (likely unchanged from 2008 since the city has given no raises since then) around $56-59k per year. I guess it's their union that made a large amount of them have exactly the same salary. The max in that category of title was $65.5k.

So maybe Charlotte does pay a little more than I expected.

But I'm still a little foggy about what sort of extra pay they could get. I know how a cop gets off duty work working security or traffic control. But a fire fighter...I don't know, maybe a race or high school football game? Even so, that can't add $20k to their salary...no?

[sophialee]

Originally Posted by Metallisteve

Remember, the cost of living between Charlotte and South FL is very different (SFL being much higher). I'm sure it may be difficult to get some fancy charts and statistical data to support that claim, but I've lived in and/or visited (extensively) both areas and know it first hand. That would be the reason for lower pay here than South FL. But rest assured, that doesn't automatically mean a lower quality of life! I dare your friend to find a suitable house to live in located in a nice area for under $200k in South FL (within an eon's drive to work)!

According to real data from 2008, the average salary for the Charlotte FD (searching the position "fire fighter") was/is (likely unchanged from 2008 since the city has given no raises since then) around $56-59k per year. I guess it's their union that made a large amount of them have exactly the same salary. The max in that category of title was $65.5k.

So maybe Charlotte does pay a little more than I expected.

But I'm still a little foggy about what sort of extra pay they could get. I know how a cop gets off duty work working security or traffic control. But a fire fighter...I don't know, maybe a race or high school football game? Even so, that can't add $20k to their salary...no?

He said it was from overtime so I'm assuming it's an hourly wage. Idk, but that's how I took it

[BandOfGypsys]

Depends.

My dad retired from Charlotte Fire Dept a little while back


You have FF1, FF2, Engineer, Captain, Chief, etc.
You have a degree? 2yr (start off with like 3 or 5% more) 4 yr? even more.

Just depends.

Most have their own business on the side though, because you really only work like 4 out of every 12 days or something like that.

1 on, 1 off, 1 on, 2 off, 1 on, 1 off, 1 on , 4 off

[ComSense]

Oh man... yikes. Ok. Thanks everyone for your input thus far.

[ComSense]

Originally Posted by sophialee

He said it was from overtime so I'm assuming it's an hourly wage. Idk, but that's how I took it

Correct. It's my brother in law and he does work OT. He works a lot actually, and maybe CLT doesnt allow OT?

[ComSense]

Originally Posted by Metallisteve

Remember, the cost of living between Charlotte and South FL is very different (SFL being much higher). I'm sure it may be difficult to get some fancy charts and statistical data to support that claim, but I've lived in and/or visited (extensively) both areas and know it first hand. That would be the reason for lower pay here than South FL. But rest assured, that doesn't automatically mean a lower quality of life! I dare your friend to find a suitable house to live in located in a nice area for under $200k in South FL (within an eon's drive to work)!

According to real data from 2008, the average salary for the Charlotte FD (searching the position "fire fighter") was/is (likely unchanged from 2008 since the city has given no raises since then) around $56-59k per year. I guess it's their union that made a large amount of them have exactly the same salary. The max in that category of title was $65.5k.

So maybe Charlotte does pay a little more than I expected.

But I'm still a little foggy about what sort of extra pay they could get. I know how a cop gets off duty work working security or traffic control. But a fire fighter...I don't know, maybe a race or high school football game? Even so, that can't add $20k to their salary...no?

Thanks Metallisteve. I checked those figures out and that seems to be more what I was thinking. He had applied a few months ago, and still waiting to hear something.

[Mike409]

I'm sure he knows NOT to count on O/T. The way Charlotte is right now, I'm sure O/T was cut across the board, if they had it to begin with.

[neoflex]

Starting salary is about $34K a year with college. Also keep in mind that the chances of him just walking on the job are prob slim to none. I have 4 years ff experience from NY and am in the hiring pool for the third year in a row and still patiently waiting. Charlotte is like any large city municipality where you have to take the tests and wait in line with every other candidate gunning for the job no matter what your experience or background. I think the written test this years had 1400+ take it so its very competitive. Its not like other jobs where you can just put in for a transfer.