Firefighter wages and union contract
Summary
Cheyenne's firefighter union says pay is up to 30% behind regional departments and calls it a career-long structural gap. The city argues the right comparison is other Wyoming cities, where the gap is only a few percent. Until the sides agree on what 'market' means, no wage deal can be reached — and the outcome will affect both city spending and the department's ability to recruit.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Mar 16, 2026.
Impact analysis
A market-alignment wage increase would draw on the city's $55.8 million general fund balance; the union says the city can afford it, the mayor hasn't committed to a number.
Cheyenne firefighters and their families would benefit from higher pay; taxpayers gain if the city holds costs down.
Firefighters earning below regional averages lose ground if the gap goes unaddressed; residents could face higher costs if pay rises sharply.
Mentions & discussions (2)
City Council (Special) - Mar 16, 2026
Cheyenne is negotiating pay with its firefighters' union. The union says Front Range and regional departments show Cheyenne pay falls behind; the mayor disagrees that firefighters are underpaid. The gap between the two sides on how to compare wages is the main sticking point.
City Council (Special) - Mar 5, 2026
Cheyenne's firefighter union says pay is up to 30% behind regional departments and calls it a career-long structural gap. The city argues the right comparison is other Wyoming cities, where the gap is only a few percent. Until the sides agree on what 'market' means, no wage deal can be reached — and the outcome will affect both city spending and the department's ability to recruit.
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