Crew Manager salary 2026/27
Crew manager is the first management step in the fire service. This page sets out the pay from 1 July 2026, what the move from firefighter is really worth after deductions, overtime and how promotion works.
Crew manager pay from 1 July 2026
Crew managers are paid on the national Grey Book scale agreed by the National Joint Council. After the 3.8% award on 1 July 2026 the development rate is £42,892 and the competent rate is £44,742. Fire and rescue services quote the same figures in their adverts for crew manager posts.
| Stage | Salary | Hourly | Overtime rate | Take-home a month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Development | £42,892 | £19.59 | £29.38 | £2,507 |
| Competent | £44,742 | £20.43 | £30.65 | £2,602 |
Take-home assumes a wholetime 42-hour week, the 2015 Firefighters’ Pension Scheme, tax code 1257L and no extras. Hourly rates use the standard 52.143 weeks and 42 hours.
What the promotion is worth
The gap that surprises people is how small the jump is when you are already competent. A competent firefighter is on £40,358 and a competent crew manager on £44,742, a difference of £4,384 a year. After tax, National Insurance and a pension rate that goes from 12.59% to 12.59%, the difference in take-home is about £226 a month.
It looks different if you are promoted before you are competent. A development firefighter on £31,539 who becomes a crew manager moves to £42,892, which is £11,353 a year more. That is why many firefighters go for crew manager shortly after becoming competent.
A crew manager in development stays on £42,892 until the service confirms competence in the role, then moves to £44,742. The monthly gain between the two is about £95 after deductions.
Overtime, CPD and acting up
- Overtime. Crew managers are paid overtime at time and a half. At the competent rate that is £30.65 an hour, and 12 hours a month adds about £265 to take-home. See firefighter overtime.
- CPD. Continual Professional Development payments are paid on top of basic pay where your service awards them, and they rose 3.8% from July 2026.
- Acting up. If you cover a higher role for a period, you are usually paid the difference. Use the acting-up option in the firefighter pay calculator.
For the next step, see watch manager salary. The entry-level figures are on the firefighter salary page.
What a crew manager does
Crew managers are the first level of management. You ride in charge of a fire engine and its crew, take command at smaller incidents until a more senior officer arrives, and are responsible for the safety of the people on your appliance.
Typical duties
- Leading the crew at incidents and keeping them safe.
- Running drills and supporting firefighters through their development.
- Making sure equipment and records are kept in order.
- Taking part in community safety and inspection work.
How promotion works
Each service runs its own process, so check the criteria for your brigade. Selection commonly includes a written or technical knowledge test, an incident command assessment, a presentation or interview, and evidence of the competence for the role. Many services expect you to be competent as a firefighter first and some ask for a development workbook or Institution of Fire Engineers qualifications. Vacancies depend on the number of posts, so waiting lists matter.
Common questions
How much does a fire service crew manager earn?
From 1 July 2026, £42,892 in development and £44,742 once competent, plus any CPD payment and overtime.
How much more is a crew manager paid than a firefighter?
£4,384 a year more than a competent firefighter, about £226 a month more in take-home.
What is a crew manager’s hourly rate?
£20.43 at the competent rate, and £30.65 for overtime.
Do crew managers get overtime?
Yes. Roles up to station manager are paid overtime at time and a half.
Is the crew manager pension rate higher?
Slightly. Contributions to the 2015 scheme are set by pensionable pay in bands, so the rate is set by pay, so check it for your own salary in the pension calculator.