Firefighter Salary in Cincinnati, OH
Firefighters in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median $58,570 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,413 take-home, or $4,034 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Cincinnati, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,848
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,631
- Medicare (1.45%)$849
- Ohio income tax$828
- Take-home pay$48,413
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
The Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro spans Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Firefighter pay by experience in Cincinnati, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,080 | $17.35 | $30,960 | $2,580 |
| 25th percentile | $43,050 | $20.70 | $36,369 | $3,031 |
| Median (50th) | $58,570 | $28.16 | $48,413 | $4,034 |
| 75th percentile | $74,190 | $35.67 | $59,765 | $4,980 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,820 | $36.45 | $60,867 | $5,072 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $58,570 buys in Cincinnati, OH
Prices in Cincinnati, OH are 4.6% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $48,413 take-home pay has the buying power of $50,763 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cincinnati, OH 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
Cincinnati, OH ranks #52 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 |
| 52 | Cincinnati, OH | $58,570 | $48,413 | $50,763 |
*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 Ohio
- Cleveland, OH — $62,720
- Toledo, OH — $60,590
- Akron, OH — $61,140
- Columbus, OH — $61,780
- Dayton, OH — $57,400
- Youngstown, OH — $43,420
- Canton, OH — $40,170
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Cincinnati, OH?
The median firefighter salary in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $58,570 a year, or about $28.16 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $43,050 and $74,190.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Cincinnati, OH?
On the median $58,570 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $48,413 a year ($4,034 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $828 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Cincinnati, OH a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 4.6% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $50,763 would in a typical U.S. city. Cincinnati, OH ranks #52 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Cincinnati, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cincinnati, OH is $1,043 a month ($1,342 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $102,870
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $86,770
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $80,410
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $56,970
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $55,460
- Security Guard — $36,110
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $30,320