Firefighters Salary in Columbus, OH

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbus, OH

Median annual salary $71,030 +19.3% vs national
Median hourly $34.15
10th percentile $35,640
90th percentile $97,680
Employed locally 3,640
National median $59,530

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Firefighters
in
Columbus, OH
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,640
    25th
    $51,350
    50th (median)
    $71,030
    75th
    $97,680
    90th
    $97,680

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $79,847 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 89% Median Firefighters salary is 11% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Firefighters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $164,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $121,270
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $108,320
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $105,250
    Vallejo, CA $104,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $102,220

    Nearby metros — Firefighters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Akron, OH $63,110
    Cleveland, OH $62,460
    Toledo, OH $61,260
    Lima, OH $60,740
    Ohio $59,470
    Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH $56,920

    Related occupations in Columbus, OH

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $36,730
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $99,960
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $58,730
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $110,860
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $29,810
    Crossing Guards and Flaggers $35,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Columbus?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Columbus, OH is $34.15, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.41 or more per hour.

    Is Columbus above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Columbus, OH is 19.3% above the national median of $59,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Firefighters in Columbus?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $35,640 per year in Columbus, OH. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,350.