Firefighter Salary in Charlotte, NC
Firefighters in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $38,700 a year — 35% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,240 take-home, or $2,687 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,464
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,399
- Medicare (1.45%)$561
- North Carolina income tax$1,035
- Take-home pay$32,240
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Firefighter pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,410 | $14.62 | $25,910 | $2,159 |
| 25th percentile | $34,900 | $16.78 | $29,338 | $2,445 |
| Median (50th) | $38,700 | $18.61 | $32,240 | $2,687 |
| 75th percentile | $57,950 | $27.86 | $46,939 | $3,912 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,960 | $38.44 | $62,400 | $5,200 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,700 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $32,240 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,118 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Charlotte, NC has 1.6× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #33 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $87,980 | $67,561 | $63,868 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | $98,050 | $71,644 | $63,086 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $82,820 | $63,139 | $60,948 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $78,050 | $61,342 | $59,814 |
| 33 | Charlotte, NC | $38,700 | $32,240 | $33,118 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
About the job: firefighters
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Firefighter salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Raleigh, NC — $45,640
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Charlotte, NC?
The median firefighter salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $38,700 a year, or about $18.61 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,900 and $57,950.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $38,700 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $32,240 a year ($2,687 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,035 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 35% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,118 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #33 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 53% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $63,190
- Security Guard — $35,010