Firefighter Salary in Columbus, OH
Firefighters in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median $61,780 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $50,904 take-home, or $4,242 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Columbus, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,234
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,830
- Medicare (1.45%)$896
- Ohio income tax$917
- Take-home pay$50,904
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Columbus, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,720 | $17.17 | $30,681 | $2,557 |
| 25th percentile | $46,240 | $22.23 | $38,845 | $3,237 |
| Median (50th) | $61,780 | $29.70 | $50,904 | $4,242 |
| 75th percentile | $96,530 | $46.41 | $74,867 | $6,239 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,530 | $46.41 | $74,867 | $6,239 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,780 buys in Columbus, OH
Prices in Columbus, OH are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $50,904 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,320 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Columbus, OH has 1.7× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Columbus, OH ranks #41 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 |
| 41 | Columbus, OH | $61,780 | $50,904 | $53,320 |
*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
- 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 Columbus, OH?
The median firefighter salary in the Columbus, OH metro area is $61,780 a year, or about $29.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,240 and $96,530.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Columbus, OH?
On the median $61,780 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $50,904 a year ($4,242 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $917 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Columbus, OH a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,320 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbus, OH ranks #41 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Columbus, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbus, OH is $1,179 a month ($1,416 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $121,750
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $100,890
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $85,230
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $79,000
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $61,690
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $58,040
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $51,470
- Security Guard — $35,800
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $29,260