Firefighter Salary in Durham, NC
Firefighters in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median $38,350 a year — 35% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $31,973 take-home, or $2,664 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Durham, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,422
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,378
- Medicare (1.45%)$556
- North Carolina income tax$1,021
- Take-home pay$31,973
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Durham, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $26,513 | $2,209 |
| 25th percentile | $35,480 | $17.06 | $29,781 | $2,482 |
| Median (50th) | $38,350 | $18.44 | $31,973 | $2,664 |
| 75th percentile | $45,880 | $22.06 | $37,723 | $3,144 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,000 | $27.88 | $46,978 | $3,915 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,350 buys in Durham, NC
Prices in Durham, NC are 2.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $31,973 take-home pay has the buying power of $32,768 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Durham, NC 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
Durham, NC ranks #126 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 |
| 126 | Durham, NC | $38,350 | $31,973 | $32,768 |
*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 North Carolina
- Greensboro, NC — $46,600
- Raleigh, NC — $45,640
- Hickory, NC — $36,340
- Fayetteville, NC — $36,820
- Charlotte, NC — $38,700
- Winston, NC — $35,730
- Asheville, NC — $37,450
- Wilmington, NC — $35,580
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Durham, NC?
The median firefighter salary in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $38,350 a year, or about $18.44 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,480 and $45,880.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Durham, NC?
On the median $38,350 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $31,973 a year ($2,664 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,021 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Durham, NC a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 35% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 2.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $32,768 would in a typical U.S. city. Durham, NC ranks #126 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Durham, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Durham, NC is $1,456 a month ($1,660 for two bedrooms) — 55% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Durham, NC
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $60,100
- Security Guard — $38,530