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.
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 #12 of 133 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $152,100 | $103,333 | $93,580 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | $89,120 | $67,308 | $69,365 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $83,310 | $67,439 | $67,206 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $81,360 | $66,067 | $65,404 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $82,820 | $63,139 | $60,948 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 133 metros →
Firefighter salaries elsewhere in Illinois
- Peoria, IL — $73,670
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 #12 of 133 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
- First-Line Supervisor of Correctional Officers — $105,450
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $102,260
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $84,550
- Transportation Security Screener — $70,570
- Private Detective and Investigator — $68,310
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $58,990
- Bailiff — $50,660
- Security Guard — $39,990
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $38,990