Firefighter Salary in Raleigh, NC
Firefighters in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $45,640 a year — 23% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,539 take-home, or $3,128 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,297
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,830
- Medicare (1.45%)$662
- North Carolina income tax$1,312
- Take-home pay$37,539
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,000 | $14.90 | $26,360 | $2,197 |
| 25th percentile | $38,090 | $18.31 | $31,774 | $2,648 |
| Median (50th) | $45,640 | $21.94 | $37,539 | $3,128 |
| 75th percentile | $56,410 | $27.12 | $45,763 | $3,814 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,100 | $34.66 | $57,184 | $4,765 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,640 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $37,539 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,244 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC 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
Raleigh, NC ranks #109 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 |
| 109 | Raleigh, NC | $45,640 | $37,539 | $38,244 |
*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
- Hickory, NC — $36,340
- Fayetteville, NC — $36,820
- Charlotte, NC — $38,700
- Durham, NC — $38,350
- Winston, NC — $35,730
- Asheville, NC — $37,450
- Wilmington, NC — $35,580
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Raleigh, NC?
The median firefighter salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $45,640 a year, or about $21.94 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,090 and $56,410.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $45,640 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $37,539 a year ($3,128 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,312 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 23% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,244 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #109 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $102,610
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $78,470
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $77,210
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $65,860
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $54,070
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $35,050
- Security Guard — $34,680
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $27,380