Firefighter Salary in Lakeland, FL
Firefighters in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median $48,560 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,198 take-home, or $3,433 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Lakeland, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,647
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,011
- Medicare (1.45%)$704
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$41,198
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Lakeland, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,190 | $17.40 | $31,259 | $2,605 |
| 25th percentile | $47,000 | $22.60 | $39,945 | $3,329 |
| Median (50th) | $48,560 | $23.35 | $41,198 | $3,433 |
| 75th percentile | $59,170 | $28.45 | $49,723 | $4,144 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,360 | $36.71 | $62,549 | $5,212 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,560 buys in Lakeland, FL
Prices in Lakeland, FL are 2.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $41,198 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,410 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Firefighter jobs are about as common in Lakeland, FL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Lakeland, FL ranks #88 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 |
| 88 | Lakeland, FL | $48,560 | $41,198 | $42,410 |
*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 Florida
- Port St. Lucie, FL — $72,760
- Miami, FL — $75,710
- North Port, FL — $62,120
- Jacksonville, FL — $58,940
- Tampa, FL — $59,660
- Cape Coral, FL — $60,000
- Crestview, FL — $56,620
- Naples, FL — $59,850
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Lakeland, FL?
The median firefighter salary in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $48,560 a year, or about $23.35 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $47,000 and $59,170.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Lakeland, FL?
On the median $48,560 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $41,198 a year ($3,433 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Lakeland, FL a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 2.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,410 would in a typical U.S. city. Lakeland, FL ranks #88 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Lakeland, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lakeland, FL is $1,230 a month ($1,497 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lakeland, FL
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $66,700
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $49,280
- Security Guard — $34,550