Firefighter salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Firefighters in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $48,770 a year ($23.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,460 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 5% higher than the Georgia statewide median of $46,550. There are 4.5 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| 25th percentile | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| Median | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| 75th percentile | $54,960 | $26.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| Average (mean) | $51,480 | $24.75 |
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 | $4,064.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,032.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,875.77 |
| Weekly | $937.88 |
| Hourly | $23.45 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $58,400 | 450 |
| Birmingham, AL | $51,050 | 2,370 |
| Savannah, GA | $50,470 | 720 |
| Hinesville, GA | $49,210 | 150 |
| Montgomery, AL | $48,780 | 540 |
| Dalton, GA | $48,110 | 180 |
| Huntsville, AL | $48,010 | 530 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $47,540 | 510 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $47,300 | 6,350 |
| Gainesville, GA | $46,870 | 450 |
| Mobile, AL | $46,770 | 710 |
| Albany, GA | $46,540 | 210 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $46,260 | 290 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,060 | 560 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $45,660 | 450 |
| Rome, GA | $44,780 | 100 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $44,400 | 230 |
| Decatur, AL | $43,650 | 180 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $40,330 | 270 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $39,940 | 200 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $37,150 | 140 |
| Gadsden, AL | $36,700 | 180 |
| Dothan, AL | $36,610 | 270 |
| Valdosta, GA | $34,600 | 190 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $68,350 | $32.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $25,540 | $12.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,630 | $24.34 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Bailiff | $32,810 | $15.77 |
| School Bus Monitor | $27,560 | $13.25 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for firefighters in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $48,770 a year, or $23.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $60,460 a year. The top 25% earn $54,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,510 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $48,770 or less.
How many firefighters work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 530 firefighters are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.