Fort Jackson Fire Department Salary & Pension Scale
SC · Updated for 2026 · Educational estimates from public CBAs and city pay scales
The Fort Jackson fire department salary scale starts at an entry-level base of $44,000 per year and rises to roughly $81,400 at the battalion chief step. Beyond base pay, firefighters earn FLSA 207(k) overtime for hours above 212 in a 28-day work period, specialty stipends for paramedic and hazmat certifications, and a pension built on a 1.7% per year of service multiplier.
Entry Base Pay
$44,000
per year
Top Step (Battalion Chief)
$81,400
per year
Pension Multiplier
1.7%/yr
of final salary
Cost-of-Living Index
95.4
US avg = 100
Base Pay by Rank
Annual base salary and equivalent hourly rate (regular rate) for each rank. Hourly rate is computed against a 2,920-hour 24/48 schedule year.
| Rank | Annual Base | Hourly Rate | Hazard Stipend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probationary Firefighter | $40,480 | $13.86 | $2,500 |
| Firefighter / EMT | $44,000 | $15.07 | $2,500 |
| Firefighter / Paramedic | $47,520 | $16.27 | $3,000 |
| Lieutenant | $59,400 | $20.34 | $3,500 |
| Captain | $68,200 | $23.36 | $4,000 |
| Battalion Chief | $81,400 | $27.88 | $4,500 |
Longevity Incentives
Base-pay increases earned through years of service at Fort Jackson Fire Department. Longevity increments are typically awarded at 5-year milestones and may be pensionable depending on the CBA.
| Years of Service | Longevity Increase | Example Annual Pay |
|---|---|---|
| 0–4 years | — | Base pay |
| 5–9 years | 2% | +$880 |
| 10–14 years | 4% | +$1,760 |
| 15–19 years | 6% | +$2,640 |
| 20+ years | 8% | +$3,520 |
Longevity pay increments are illustrative. Example annual pay is calculated against Fort Jackson Fire Department’s entry base salary of $44,000. Actual longevity bands, step timing, and pensionability are set by the department’s collective bargaining agreement.
Historical Pay Scale Breakdown
Five-year view of Fort Jackson Fire Department base salaries by rank, illustrating how the pay scale has grown across recent contract cycles.
| Year | Firefighter / EMT | Firefighter / Paramedic | Lieutenant | Captain | Battalion Chief |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $38,343 | $41,410 | $51,763 | $59,432 | $70,935 |
| 2023 | $39,685 | $42,860 | $53,575 | $61,512 | $73,417 |
| 2024 | $41,074 | $44,360 | $55,450 | $63,665 | $75,987 |
| 2025 | $42,512 | $45,913 | $57,391 | $65,894 | $78,647 |
| 2026 | $44,000 | $47,520 | $59,400 | $68,200 | $81,400 |
Historical pay-scale rows for 2022–2026 are back-projected from the current entry base salary using an assumed 3.5% average annual CBA increase. They illustrate step-scale progression over time and are educational estimates — verify prior-year schedules against Fort Jackson Fire Department’s published pay ordinances and collective bargaining agreements.
Certification Requirements
Minimum medical, firefighter, and physical fitness certifications required to join Fort Jackson Fire Department. Requirements are set at the state level by the SC Fire Academy / State Fire Marshal and SC Department of Health & Environmental Control EMS, with department-specific overrides where noted.
Minimum Medical Cert
EMT-Basic
EMT-Basic required at time of hire.
Firefighter Certification
Firefighter I/II
Issued by SC Fire Academy / State Fire Marshal.
Minimum Education
High School Diploma or GED
Some departments prefer some college or military service.
CPAT Physical Test
Required
Candidate Physical Ability Test must be passed before appointment.
CDL / Driver Cert
Post-Hire
Driver/Engineer certification obtained post-hire for apparatus assignment.
Reciprocity
IFSAC/ProBoard
IFSAC/ProBoard FF I/II accepted; NREMT for EMT.
State Certifying Bodies
Fire: SC Fire Academy / State Fire Marshal · EMS: SC Department of Health & Environmental Control EMS
Certification requirements are educational estimates based on state fire marshal and EMS authority guidance. Confirm current requirements with Fort Jackson Fire Department’s recruitment office and the SC certifying bodies before applying.
Shift Schedule Differentials
Annual scheduled hours and FLSA 207(k) overtime exposure by shift schedule. Higher annual hours mean more overtime liability beyond the 212-hour threshold.
| Shift Schedule | Annual Hours | FLSA OT Hours/yr |
|---|---|---|
| 24/48 (1 on / 2 off) | 2,920 | 156 |
| 48/96 (2 on / 4 off) | 2,920 | 156 |
| Kelly Schedule | 2,730 | 0 |
| 72-Hour Work Week | 3,744 | 980 |
FLSA 207(k) annualized threshold: 2,764 hrs/yr (212 hrs × 13 periods). Hours beyond this are paid at 1.5× the regular rate.
Specialty Stipends
Annual stipends added to base pay for certifications and specialty assignments. Whether each stipend is pensionable (included in final average salary) varies by CBA.
| Specialty Stipend | Annual Amount | Pensionable |
|---|---|---|
| Hazmat Certification | $5,000 | Verify with CBA |
| Technical Rescue | $4,000 | Verify with CBA |
| Paramedic Stipend | $8,000 | Verify with CBA |
| Longevity Pay (5+ yrs) | $3,000 | Verify with CBA |
| Education Incentive | $2,000 | Verify with CBA |
Pension Tier Breakdown
Pension multiplier, employee contribution, and projected retirement income for Fort Jackson Fire Department. Confirm the current tier, vesting period, and COLA with the SC pension system.
Pension Multiplier
1.7% per year of service
Employee Contribution
4.4% of base
Projected Pension (25 yrs)
$18,700/yr
COLA in Retirement
Varies by pension system
Cost-of-Living Context
Fort Jackson Fire Department has a cost-of-living index of 95.4 (US average = 100). Cost of living is near the national average.
Sources & Methodology
Figures are educational estimates compiled from publicly available collective bargaining agreements, city HR pay scales, and state pension fund documentation. Verify current step scales, stipend amounts, and pension tiers with Fort Jackson Fire Department's HR office and the SC pension system before making career decisions.
Fort Jackson is a US Army installation, so its firefighters are federal employees paid on the GS-0081 series with locality adjustments rather than a municipal collective bargaining agreement. Retirement follows FERS: 1.7% of high-three average salary for each of the first 20 years of covered service, rather than a municipal pension tier.