Firefighter Salary in Roanoke, VA
Firefighters in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median $39,310 a year — 34% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,319 take-home, or $2,693 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Roanoke, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,537
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,437
- Medicare (1.45%)$570
- Virginia income tax$1,446
- Take-home pay$32,319
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Firefighter pay by experience in Roanoke, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,520 | $12.75 | $22,737 | $1,895 |
| 25th percentile | $35,140 | $16.89 | $29,209 | $2,434 |
| Median (50th) | $39,310 | $18.90 | $32,319 | $2,693 |
| 75th percentile | $46,500 | $22.36 | $37,683 | $3,140 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,240 | $28.48 | $47,187 | $3,932 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,310 buys in Roanoke, VA
Prices in Roanoke, VA are 6.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $32,319 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,523 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Roanoke, VA 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
Roanoke, VA ranks #118 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 |
| 118 | Roanoke, VA | $39,310 | $32,319 | $34,523 |
*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 Virginia
- Richmond, VA — $60,790
- Virginia Beach, VA — $56,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Roanoke, VA?
The median firefighter salary in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $39,310 a year, or about $18.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,140 and $46,500.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Roanoke, VA?
On the median $39,310 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $32,319 a year ($2,693 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,446 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Roanoke, VA a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 34% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 6.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,523 would in a typical U.S. city. Roanoke, VA ranks #118 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Roanoke, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Roanoke, VA is $1,020 a month ($1,200 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Roanoke, VA
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $59,900
- Security Guard — $36,900