Firefighter Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Firefighters in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $68,480 a year — 16% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $55,015 take-home, or $4,585 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,236
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,246
- Medicare (1.45%)$993
- Indiana income tax$1,991
- Take-home pay$55,015
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.95% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,410 | $20.87 | $35,809 | $2,984 |
| 25th percentile | $54,920 | $26.40 | $44,718 | $3,726 |
| Median (50th) | $68,480 | $32.92 | $55,015 | $4,585 |
| 75th percentile | $77,410 | $37.22 | $61,034 | $5,086 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,060 | $42.82 | $68,886 | $5,740 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $68,480 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $55,015 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,489 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Indianapolis, IN has 1.5× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #25 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 |
| 25 | Indianapolis, IN | $68,480 | $55,015 | $57,489 |
*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 Indiana
- South Bend, IN — $56,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Indianapolis, IN?
The median firefighter salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $68,480 a year, or about $32.92 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $54,920 and $77,410.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $68,480 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $55,015 a year ($4,585 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,991 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 16% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,489 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #25 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Indianapolis, IN
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $98,890
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $97,590
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $83,110
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $76,730
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $65,060
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $48,340
- Security Guard — $36,490
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $36,450
- School Bus Monitor — $33,590
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $28,810