Irondale Offers Top First Responder Salaries in Jefferson County

City increases pay and benefits to boost recruitment and retention of police and firefighters

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:52pm

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The city of Irondale, Alabama has announced a new compensation package for its police officers and firefighters that ranks among the highest in Jefferson County. The package includes a 2.8% pay increase and the city covering 94% of health insurance premiums, which is about 14% more than the regional standard. Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. said the changes will help the city recruit and retain first responders as the city continues to grow with new businesses like Costco coming in.

Why it matters

Maintaining a well-compensated and stable first responder workforce is crucial for public safety, especially as Irondale experiences growth and development. The city's previous challenges with retaining officers who left for higher-paying jobs elsewhere highlighted the need for more competitive pay and benefits.

The details

Irondale's new compensation package combines a base pay increase with enhanced benefits. The city now covers 94% of health insurance premiums for police and firefighters and their families, about 14% more than the regional standard of 80%. This results in an additional $2,609 per year in actual take-home pay for each first responder. The city is also looking to hire 3 new firefighters and 7 new police officers to keep up with growth.

  • The new compensation package went into effect in February 2026.
  • Irondale is expecting the arrival of a new Costco store 'very soon'.

The players

James D. Stewart Jr.

The mayor of Irondale, Alabama who announced the new first responder compensation package.

Irondale Police Department

The city's police force, which currently employs 42 sworn officers and is looking to hire 7 more.

Irondale Fire Department

The city's fire department, which currently employs 57 firefighters and is looking to hire 3 more.

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What they’re saying

“Since our compensation package is so competitive, we strive to make sure that when you come to the city of Irondale, you will never leave because you're not paid well enough, because we're at the top when it comes to being able to do that.”

— James D. Stewart Jr., Mayor

“This will impact safely in a very positive way. If you retain officers for a considerable amount of time, not only are they familiar with the city, but they probably do one of the most important things that you can do in law enforcement, and that's building trust in the community.”

— James D. Stewart Jr., Mayor

What’s next

The city is looking to hire 3 new firefighters and 7 new police officers in the coming months to keep up with growth and development in Irondale.

The takeaway

Irondale's move to offer highly competitive pay and benefits for its first responders demonstrates the city's commitment to public safety and its ability to attract and retain top talent as the community continues to grow and evolve.