Firefighter salary in Columbus, IN
Firefighters in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $43,510 a year ($20.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,840 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 31% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $62,780. There are 1.9 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| 25th percentile | $43,510 | $20.92 |
| Median | $43,510 | $20.92 |
| 75th percentile | $58,980 | $28.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,840 | $37.90 |
| Average (mean) | $49,600 | $23.85 |
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 | $3,625.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,812.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,673.46 |
| Weekly | $836.73 |
| Hourly | $20.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $82,820 | 14,560 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $75,860 | 420 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $68,480 | 3,740 |
| Evansville, IN | $66,840 | 330 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $65,230 | 160 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $63,760 | 270 |
| Muncie, IN | $62,780 | 130 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $58,570 | 3,380 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $56,450 | 440 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $54,850 | 200 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $54,460 | 150 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $45,160 | 1,640 |
| Bloomington, IN | $37,620 | 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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $72,500 | $34.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $23,640 | $11.37 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, IN
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, IN?
The median salary for firefighters in the Columbus, IN metro area is $43,510 a year, or $20.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $78,840 a year. The top 25% earn $58,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,220 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $43,510 or less.
How many firefighters work in Columbus, IN?
About 90 firefighters are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.