The Princeton Fire Department’s career firefighters are in line for annual 2% salary increases under a three-year contract approved by the Princeton Council.
The contract is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026 and will expire on Dec. 31, 2028. It covers the members of Local 72 of the Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association.
The Princeton Fire Department is a combination fire department. It includes career firefighters who are paid, and volunteer firefighters who are not paid. It is staffed around the clock by the career firefighters and supplemented by the volunteers.
For 2026, the salary range for a career firefighter starts at $58,140 and tops out at $91,054. The top salary is reached after 10 years of service. Newly-hired probationary firefighters are paid $55,080 and will earn more after completing the one-year probationary period.
By the end of the contract in 2028, the salary range for a career firefighter will range from $60,488 to $98,247. A probationary firefighter will be paid $57,305 and move up the pay scale upon completing the one-year probationary period.
Firefighters are assigned to either the firefighter platoon or the fire inspection platoon on an annual basis. Selections are based on seniority.
Firefighters who opt for the firefighter platoon will receive a $2,000 stipend. They will work a 24-hour shift.
Firefighters in the fire inspection platoon work either eight-, 10- or 12-hour shifts. Their specific hours and days will be set by Fire Chief Adam Kooker.
The contract also creates the new position of fire captain, who will earn $100,159 in the first year of the contract. In the final year of the contract, the captain will earn $108,072.
