Firefighter Salary in Raleigh, NC
Firefighters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $45,640 a year — 23% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,539 take-home, or $3,128 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,297
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,830
- Medicare (1.45%)$662
- North Carolina income tax$1,312
- Take-home pay$37,539
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Firefighter pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,000 | $14.90 | $26,360 | $2,197 |
| 25th percentile | $38,090 | $18.31 | $31,774 | $2,648 |
| Median (50th) | $45,640 | $21.94 | $37,539 | $3,128 |
| 75th percentile | $56,410 | $27.12 | $45,763 | $3,814 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,100 | $34.66 | $57,184 | $4,765 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,640 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $37,539 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,244 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.5× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #31 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 |
| 31 | Raleigh, NC | $45,640 | $37,539 | $38,244 |
*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
- Charlotte, NC — $38,700
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Raleigh, NC?
The median firefighter salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $45,640 a year, or about $21.94 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,090 and $56,410.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $45,640 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $37,539 a year ($3,128 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,312 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 23% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,244 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #31 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $65,860
- Security Guard — $34,680