Firefighter Salary in Chicago, IL
Firefighters in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $82,820 a year — 40% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,139 take-home, or $5,262 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,390
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,135
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,201
- Illinois income tax$3,955
- Take-home pay$63,139
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. 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 Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,080 | $20.23 | $34,053 | $2,838 |
| 25th percentile | $48,610 | $23.37 | $38,977 | $3,248 |
| Median (50th) | $82,820 | $39.82 | $63,139 | $5,262 |
| 75th percentile | $105,720 | $50.83 | $78,116 | $6,510 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,930 | $54.29 | $82,831 | $6,903 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,820 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $63,139 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,948 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 1.4× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #7 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 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Chicago, IL?
The median firefighter salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $82,820 a year, or about $39.82 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,610 and $105,720.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $82,820 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $63,139 a year ($5,262 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,955 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 40% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,948 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #7 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $135,080
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $126,200
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $107,810
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $84,550
- Security Guard — $39,990
- School Bus Monitor — $33,890
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $33,750