Firefighters Salary in Durham, NC
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Median annual salary
$37,860
-36.4% vs national
Median hourly
$18.20
10th percentile
$30,390
90th percentile
$58,690
Employed locally
1,210
National median
$59,530
Compare Firefighters salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Durham, NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Firefighters
in
Durham, NC
vs
Salary percentile breakdown
Durham economic context
Unemployment rate
3.20%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$81,017
2023 • Census ACS
Firefighters salary vs area income
47%
Median Firefighters salary is 53% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Firefighters make per hour in Durham?
The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Durham, NC is $18.20, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.89 or more per hour.
Is Durham above or below average for Firefighters salaries?
The median Firefighters salary in Durham, NC is 36.4% below 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 Durham?
Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $30,390 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,600.