Firefighter salary in Cleveland, OH
Firefighters in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $62,720 a year ($30.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,650 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 6% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $59,370. There are 3.5 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,340, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| 25th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Median | $62,720 | $30.16 |
| 75th percentile | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,650 | $37.81 |
| Average (mean) | $61,340 | $29.49 |
Half of firefighters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,226.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,613.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,412.31 |
| Weekly | $1,206.15 |
| Hourly | $30.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $61,780 | 4,130 |
| Akron, OH | $61,140 | 1,240 |
| Toledo, OH | $60,590 | 1,010 |
| Lima, OH | $60,020 | 150 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $58,570 | 3,380 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $57,400 | 1,260 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $48,070 | 110 |
| Sandusky, OH | $47,270 | 270 |
| Mansfield, OH | $45,930 | 230 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $43,420 | 630 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $41,140 | 210 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $40,170 | 570 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $36,060 | 230 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $57,590 | $27.69 |
| Security Guard | $35,890 | $17.25 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $80,280 | $38.59 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $59,370 | $28.55 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,800 | $13.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $86,250 | $41.46 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $89,300 | $42.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $56,760 | $27.29 |
| Bailiff | $53,540 | $25.74 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,320 | $13.13 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for firefighters in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $62,720 a year, or $30.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $78,650 a year. The top 25% earn $74,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,770 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $47,940 or less.
How many firefighters work in Cleveland, OH?
About 3,660 firefighters are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.