Firefighter Salary in South Bend, IN
Firefighters in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area earn a median $56,450 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $45,902 take-home, or $3,825 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in South Bend, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,594
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,500
- Medicare (1.45%)$819
- Indiana income tax$1,636
- Take-home pay$45,902
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
The South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro spans Indiana, Michigan. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Firefighter pay by experience in South Bend, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,520 | $19.00 | $32,798 | $2,733 |
| 25th percentile | $50,300 | $24.18 | $41,142 | $3,428 |
| Median (50th) | $56,450 | $27.14 | $45,902 | $3,825 |
| 75th percentile | $61,190 | $29.42 | $49,571 | $4,131 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,190 | $33.75 | $56,168 | $4,681 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $56,450 buys in South Bend, IN
Prices in South Bend, IN are 7.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 25% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $45,902 take-home pay has the buying power of $49,432 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
South Bend, 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
South Bend, IN ranks #63 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 |
| 63 | South Bend, IN | $56,450 | $45,902 | $49,432 |
*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
- Indianapolis, IN — $68,480
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in South Bend, IN?
The median firefighter salary in the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area is $56,450 a year, or about $27.14 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,300 and $61,190.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in South Bend, IN?
On the median $56,450 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $45,902 a year ($3,825 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,636 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is South Bend, IN a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 7.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $49,432 would in a typical U.S. city. South Bend, IN ranks #63 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in South Bend, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in South Bend, IN is $1,073 a month ($1,244 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in South Bend, IN
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $77,070
- Security Guard — $36,090