Assistant Fire Chief pay range
State of Washington · class code 396E
- Class code
- 396E
- Salary range
- 57
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- Washington
- The State of Washington published pay range for Assistant Fire Chief is $66,072 to $88,788 per year.
- Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) keys this classification as class code 396E.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Step progression
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) assigns this class to salary range 57 in the General Service Salary Schedule. The range pays 13 steps; a step is normally earned on a periodic increment date, not negotiated.
| Basis | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $66,072 | $67,704 | $69,348 | $71,136 | $72,900 | $74,748 | $76,608 | $78,504 | $80,496 | $82,440 | $84,528 | $86,688 | $88,788 |
| Monthly | $5,506 | $5,642 | $5,779 | $5,928 | $6,075 | $6,229 | $6,384 | $6,542 | $6,708 | $6,870 | $7,044 | $7,224 | $7,399 |
| Hourly | $31.64 | $32.43 | $33.21 | $34.07 | $34.91 | $35.80 | $36.69 | $37.60 | $38.55 | $39.48 | $40.48 | $41.52 | $42.52 |
Steps as published. The monthly and hourly rows are the state's own, not conversions of the annual row.
Class specification
The OFM classified job specification for this class is published by Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM). The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications.
What the state says the job is
This is the journey level of the series. These positions exercise independent judgment and assist the Fire Chief in the emergency response program for fire, medical aid, and hazardous materials emergencies on McNeil Island, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Develops, monitors and administers a fire suppression training program that meets or exceeds state and local requirements. This position will assume command and act for the Fire Chief in their absence. OR In higher education, under general supervision, lead student fire fighters in fire prevention, suppression, emergency medical treatment and maintenance of equipment.
Examples of the work
Develops, monitors and administers a training program for inmate firefighters and fire department staff that meets or exceeds state, local, and NFPA standards; provides ongoing training classes to ensure all annual and quarterly training requirements are met; maintains training records for the department and on an individual basis; Inspects all occupancies of compliance with state and federal fire and life safety requirements, i.e., MICC's main facility, the DSGS Special Commitment Center, manufacturing facilities, power generation station, sewer and water treatment facilities, gas station, auto and marine repair shops, an elementary school, a bowling alley, a community of 52 family residenc ...
Minimum qualifications
Four years of experience as a structural firefighter or above at a fire department involved in fire suppression activities. OR One year of experience as a lieutenant or above at a fire department involved in fire suppression activities which includes experience as a training officer. OR A two year degree in Fire Science. Equivalent education/experience.
Special requirements
Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician is required prior to employment. Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Quoted from the OFM classified job specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) publishes this figure in Classified Job Listing joined to the OFM salary schedules effective July 1, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
The dollar figures come from the salary schedule the listing assigns this range to.
Nearby classes in Washington
Assistant Fire Chief in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | $41,208 | $86,712 | $41,208 to $86,712 |
| Ohio | $30.22 | $37.75 | $62,858 to $78,520 |
Each state publishes its own range for a classification with this exact title. Duties, grade structures and bargaining units differ between states, so read each class page before comparing.