Firefighter in Redmond, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Redmond Stands

As a local, I’ve seen the cost of living in Redmond climb steadily, and firefighter salaries have to keep pace. The median salary for a Firefighter in Redmond is $59,347/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.53/hour. This is slightly above the national average of $57,120/year, which is a good sign for the profession in this region. However, with a cost of living index of 113.0 (13% above the U.S. average), every dollar counts.

The job market here is stable but niche. There are approximately 160 firefighting jobs in the metro area, with a 10-year job growth projection of 4%. This isn’t a boomtown for rapid expansion, but it’s a reliable field with steady demand, especially given the proximity to major urban centers and tech campuses.

Experience-Level Salary Breakdown
While the median is a good starting point, your earning potential grows with experience and specialization. Local departments like Redmond Fire and Rescue use a stepped pay structure based on years of service and qualifications.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary (Redmond)	Key Responsibilities & Qualifications
Entry-Level	$52,000 - $58,000	Probationary Firefighter, basic EMT certification, initial training academy completion.
Mid-Career	$60,000 - $75,000	Certified Firefighter II, Advanced EMT or Paramedic, 5-10 years of service.
Senior/Lead	$78,000 - $95,000	Officer (Lieutenant/Captain), specialized certifications (Hazmat, Technical Rescue), 10+ years.
Expert/Command	$98,000+	Battalion Chief, Fire Marshal, extensive command staff experience.

Comparison to Other WA Cities
To put Redmond's salary in context, here’s how it stacks up against other major Washington cities. While Seattle offers higher base pay, its cost of living is dramatically higher. Spokane and Tacoma offer competitive salaries with more affordable housing markets.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index	Key Local Industry
Redmond	$59,347	113.0	Tech, Corporate
Seattle	$78,500 (est.)	172.3	Tech, Port, Healthcare
Spokane	$58,200 (est.)	99.1	Healthcare, Education, Aerospace
Tacoma	$62,000 (est.)	108.5	Port, Military, Healthcare
Olympia	$56,800 (est.)	107.2	Government, Education

Salary estimates based on BLS data and local agency pay scales. Redmond's lower cost of living compared to Seattle makes its median salary more impactful.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's break down the numbers for a firefighter earning the median salary of $59,347/year. After federal, state, and FICA taxes, your take-home pay is roughly $4,300/month. With the average 1-bedroom rent in Redmond at $1,864/month, that’s about 43% of your net income going to housing alone—a tight but manageable budget if you're careful.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Earner, Median Salary)
This assumes a typical budget where housing, utilities, food, and transportation are primary expenses.

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	% of Net Income	Notes
Net Income (After Taxes)	$4,300	100%	Based on $59,347/year
Rent (1BR Apartment)	$1,864	43.3%	Average for Redmond (e.g., Overlake, Downtown)
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water)	$180	4.2%	Can be higher in older buildings
Groceries & Food	$450	10.5%	Shopping at local stores like QFC or Fred Meyer
Transportation (Car, Gas, Insurance)	$600	14.0%	Essential in Redmond; limited public transit to some areas
Health Insurance & Medical	$200	4.7%	Usually covered by employer, but out-of-pocket costs
Retirement & Savings	$300	7.0%	457(b) or 401(k) plans are common
Miscellaneous (Leisure, Clothing)	$706	16.4%	Left for debt, entertainment, or savings buffer

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
This is the big question. The median home price in Redmond is over $900,000. On a $59,347 salary, qualifying for a mortgage is extremely challenging without a significant down payment or dual income. A 20% down payment on a $900,000 home is $180,000. Most firefighters in Redmond either live in apartments, rent with roommates, or purchase homes in more affordable neighboring cities like Kenmore, Woodinville, or further east into the Cascade foothills. Insider Tip: Many firefighters commute from these areas. The drive to Redmond Station 1 can be from 15-30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Where the Jobs Are: Redmond's Major Employers

The firefighting landscape in Redmond is dominated by a few key public agencies. There are no large private firefighting companies here; it's almost entirely public sector.

1. Redmond Fire & Rescue (RFR): The primary employer. They cover the entire city, from the Microsoft main campus to residential neighborhoods like Education Hill. RFR is a progressive agency with a focus on community risk reduction and tech-sector partnerships. They have 4 fire stations and are known for their technical rescue capabilities due to the area's mixed urban and natural terrain.

2. Eastside Fire & Rescue (EFI): While based in Issaquah, EFI provides service to several nearby communities (like Sammamish, North Bend) and often hires from a shared applicant pool. They have a strong mutual aid agreement with Redmond and are a frequent destination for career advancement.

3. King County Fire District 20: This district serves portions of Redmond's eastern edge and has its own hiring process. It's worth monitoring their openings as they can sometimes have different shift schedules or benefits.

4. University of Washington (UW) Fire Department: Located just across Lake Washington in Seattle, the UWFD is a unique employer that serves a large campus with a mix of residential, medical, and research facilities. Many Redmond-based firefighters live closer to Seattle and work there, benefiting from UW's excellent benefits package.

5. Microsoft Campus Fire Brigade: While not a traditional municipal department, Microsoft has its own internal fire and safety team. These are highly specialized roles often filled by experienced personnel with hazardous materials and tech infrastructure knowledge. It's a competitive niche.

Hiring Trends & Insider Tip: Most agencies hire through a civil service exam process or a timed, competitive testing event. Hiring is not continuous. There are typically large testing windows every 1-2 years. The best way to get your name in is to monitor the websites for Redmond Fire & Rescue and King County Civil Service Commission religiously. Networking at local firefighter events (like the annual Redmond Firefighters Charity event) can also provide critical insights.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State has specific licensing requirements through the Washington State Fire Marshal's Office. The process is rigorous but straightforward.

Key Requirements:

1. Firefighter I & II Certification: This is the core. You can get this through a state-certified academy (like at the Seattle Fire Department Training Academy or a community college program like at Renton Technical College). This can cost $3,000 - $5,000 and takes about 6 months full-time.
2. EMT Certification: In Redmond, having your EMT-Basic or Paramedic license is often required or strongly preferred. EMT-B training takes about 6 months and costs $1,000 - $2,000.
3. State Fire Marshal Certification: Once you have your I&II, you apply for state certification.
4. Passing the CPAT: The Candidate Physical Ability Test is a non-negotiable hurdle. It's a timed obstacle course you must pass in under 10 minutes and 20 seconds. Local departments often offer prep sessions.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Months 1-6: Enroll in an EMT course and get certified. Start CPAT training immediately.
• Months 6-12: Enroll in a Firefighter I/II academy while working as an EMT (if possible). This is a full-time commitment.
• Month 12+: Apply for jobs while maintaining your certifications. The entire process from zero to hireable can take 1.5 - 2 years and cost between $4,000 - $8,000 for the necessary training and exams.

Insider Tip: Many successful candidates in Redmond have their EMT license before they start the fire academy. It makes you a more attractive candidate immediately. Also, volunteer with a local community fire department (like in nearby unincorporated areas) to get experience and references.

Best Neighborhoods for Firefighters

Where you live will depend on your budget, commute, and lifestyle. Here’s a local’s breakdown:

1. Downtown Redmond/Overlake: The most central. You can bike or walk to Station 1 or 2. The vibe is urban with easy access to Microsoft, restaurants, and the Redmond Town Center. Rent Estimate: $1,900 - $2,200/month for a 1BR. Commute: 0-10 minutes to stations.

2. Education Hill: A quiet, family-friendly neighborhood with older, more affordable homes (for renting). It's close to the main hospital corridor. Rent Estimate: $1,700 - $1,900/month for a 1BR. Commute: 5-15 minutes to stations.

3. Kirkland/Lake Hills (East of Redmond): Just over the border, this area offers slightly better value and a similar suburban feel. Commutes are easy via SR 520 or NE 85th St. Rent Estimate: $1,750 - $2,000/month for a 1BR. Commute: 10-20 minutes.

4. Sammamish (East): More expensive, but if you're looking for a larger place to rent with roommates, it's an option. The commute can be a bottleneck on SR 202. Rent Estimate: $2,000 - $2,400/month for a 1BR. Commute: 15-25 minutes.

5. Kenmore (North): A fantastic compromise. More affordable rent, a great small-town feel, and a direct commute via SR 522 and SR 520 (though traffic is real). Rent Estimate: $1,600 - $1,800/month for a 1BR. Commute: 20-30 minutes.

Insider Tip: Traffic on SR 520 from the west (Seattle) and SR 405 from the south (Bellevue) during shift change (7 AM / 5 PM) is brutal. If you can find a place north or east of Redmond, your quality of life will improve drastically.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Growth in Redmond Fire & Rescue is structured and based on merit and seniority. The 10-year outlook is stable, with incremental salary increases tied to experience steps.

• Specialty Premiums: Once you're a certified firefighter, you can earn additional pay for specializations. In Redmond, this often includes:

  • Hazmat Technician: +5-10% pay premium.
  • Technical Rescue (Swift Water, High Angle): +3-7% pay premium.
  • Paramedic: A significant jump, often moving you into a higher pay band. This is the single biggest career accelerator. Redmond has a dual-paramedic response model on many trucks, so paramedic certification is highly valued.

• Advancement Paths:

  • Firefighter → Engineer/Driver: Requires additional training and testing. You operate the apparatus and are the pump operator.
  • Engineer → Lieutenant: A leadership role on the engine or ladder company, responsible for a crew.
  • Lieutenant → Captain: Command of a station or a unit.
  • Captain → Battalion Chief: Battalion chiefs oversee multiple fire stations and shifts.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 4% job growth is modest, meaning most hiring will be for retirements rather than new positions. Your growth will come from within. The key is to stay healthy, keep your certifications current, and pursue specialty training. The proximity to tech companies also means opportunities for fire prevention and inspection roles within the corporate sector, which can be a different career path after several years on the line.

The Verdict: Is Redmond Right for You?

This is a high-cost, high-opportunity area. It's not for everyone, but it can be a deeply rewarding career if you're prepared.

Pros	Cons
Above-National-Average Salary ($59,347) with strong benefits.	Extremely High Cost of Living (Rent is $1,864/month).
Stable, Professional Agencies (Redmond Fire & Rescue).	Competitive Hiring Process with long gaps between tests.
Proximity to大自然 (Lake Sammamish, Cascade foothills).	Traffic can severely impact quality of life and commute.
Diverse Call Volume (Medical, tech-campus incidents, wildland).	Home Ownership is a Major Challenge on a single salary.
Excellent Training Opportunities and potential for specialty pay.	Cultural Fit: It's a tech-dominated, suburban environment.

Final Recommendation:
Redmond is an excellent choice for a mid-career firefighter with a partner's income or for a single person willing to rent long-term and invest heavily in specialty skills like Paramedic or Hazmat. It's less ideal for a single-income family looking to buy a home immediately. If you have the right certifications and a realistic financial plan, the professional opportunities and quality of life (outside of traffic) are top-tier. My advice? Secure your EMT and Paramedic certifications before applying. It makes you a standout candidate and unlocks the highest earning potential in this market.

FAQs

Q: Is it easier to get hired with a Paramedic license?
A: Absolutely. Redmond Fire & Rescue, like many Eastside agencies, has a high call volume for medical emergencies. A Paramedic is a force multiplier on a fire engine. It's not just "easier to get hired"—it's often a prerequisite for a competitive application and comes with a significant pay increase.

Q: How much does it cost to live in Redmond as a firefighter?
A: On a median salary of $59,347, you'll spend roughly $1,864/month on rent for a 1BR, plus utilities, food, and transportation. Your remaining budget for savings, debt, and leisure is tight but manageable if you're frugal. Roommates or living in a neighboring city are common strategies.

Q: What's the training schedule like for Redmond firefighters?
A: Redmond Fire & Rescue typically uses a 24-hours-on, 48-hours-off shift schedule (24/48). This can be demanding but also provides significant time off between shifts for training, side jobs, or family. Overtime is available and can boost income substantially.

Q: Do I need to live in Redmond to work there?
A: No. While there's no strict residency requirement, living within a reasonable commute (15-20 minutes) is important for call-backs and emergencies. Many firefighters live in Kirkland, Woodinville, Kenmore, or even further out in communities like Duvall.

Q: What's the best way to prepare for the CPAT?
A: Start training now. The CPAT requires cardiovascular fitness and functional strength. Local gyms like the Redmond Fitness Club and outdoor trails at Marymoor Park are popular spots. Many departments, including Redmond Fire, offer open training sessions for candidates—watch their social media for announcements.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Washington State Fire Marshal's Office, King County Civil Service Commission, Redmond Fire & Rescue public records, local rental market data (Zillow, Apartments.com).