Almost 700 Ottawa firefighters earned more than $100,000 in 2008, according to the city's so-called "Sunshine List," which identifies municipal and public servants who earn more than $100,000 per year.
After working without a pay raise for four years, an arbitrator ruled last fall to give Ottawa's 900 firefighters salary increases retroactive to 2004.
Although the average base salary for a firefighter in 2008 was $79,783, the retroactive pay pushed hundreds of firefighters over the $100,000 mark.
It's expected at least 200 firefighters will permanently remain on the list, which highlighted the salaries of several emergency workers.
According to the list, emergency personnel accounted for 78 per cent of the city's big-money makers, including 235 people employed with Ottawa Police Services.
The list reveals 212 city employees have a base salary of more than $100,000, a number that increased by 63 employees since 2007.
One-hundred-and-thirty-one other city employees who have a base salary below $100,000 are also on the list because of payouts such as overtime, retroactive payments, and bonuses.
According to provincial law, the city is required to disclose the names, positions, salary and taxable benefits of employees who receive more than $100,000 in overall compensation.
