For this reason, it is popularly called the flesh-eating disease and although rare, it became well-known to the public in the 1990s. Even with top-notch care today, the prognosis can be bleak, with a mortality rate of around 25% and severe disfigurement common in survivors.
Nationally, while the average firefighter will earn in the mid-$40,000âs, a lieutenant will earn about $55,000 annually, a captain about $60,000 and a fire chief approximately $70,000. Firefighters frequently earn overtime wages, training or education reimbursements, paid vacation time, and sick leave.
Top Firefighter Salary: Some firefighters can make as much as $400,000 per year. For example, the City of San Francisco publishes their public salary list each year and firefighters dominate the top of it. On it is a Battalion Chief who makes $393,000 per year. That firefighter is the #1 highest paid employee on the San Francisco public payroll.