Firefighter Salary in Cleveland, OH
Firefighters in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median $62,720 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,633 take-home, or $4,303 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Cleveland, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,346
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,889
- Medicare (1.45%)$909
- Ohio income tax$942
- Take-home pay$51,633
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Cleveland, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,770 | $17.20 | $30,720 | $2,560 |
| 25th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 | $40,164 | $3,347 |
| Median (50th) | $62,720 | $30.15 | $51,633 | $4,303 |
| 75th percentile | $74,250 | $35.70 | $59,805 | $4,984 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,650 | $37.81 | $62,780 | $5,232 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $62,720 buys in Cleveland, OH
Prices in Cleveland, OH are 6.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $51,633 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,974 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cleveland, OH 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
Cleveland, OH ranks #33 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 |
| 33 | Cleveland, OH | $62,720 | $51,633 | $54,974 |
*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
- Toledo, OH — $60,590
- Akron, OH — $61,140
- Columbus, OH — $61,780
- Dayton, OH — $57,400
- Cincinnati, OH — $58,570
- Youngstown, OH — $43,420
- Canton, OH — $40,170
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Cleveland, OH?
The median firefighter salary in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $62,720 a year, or about $30.15 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,940 and $74,250.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Cleveland, OH?
On the median $62,720 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $51,633 a year ($4,303 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $942 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Cleveland, OH a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 6.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,974 would in a typical U.S. city. Cleveland, OH ranks #33 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Cleveland, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Cleveland, OH is $1,048 a month ($1,268 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $101,190
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $89,300
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $86,250
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $80,280
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $59,370
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $45,050
- Security Guard — $35,890
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $34,450
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $28,800