Firefighter salary in Columbus, OH
Firefighters in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $61,780 a year ($29.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,530 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 4% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $59,370. There are 3.7 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,720 | $17.18 |
| 25th percentile | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| Median | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| 75th percentile | $96,530 | $46.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,530 | $46.41 |
| Average (mean) | $67,630 | $32.51 |
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 | $5,148.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,574.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,376.15 |
| Weekly | $1,188.08 |
| Hourly | $29.70 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $62,720 | 3,660 |
| 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 Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Security Guard | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $100,890 | $48.50 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $61,690 | $29.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $121,750 | $58.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $85,230 | $40.98 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $51,470 | $24.74 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| Bailiff | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $46,800 | $22.50 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, 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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for firefighters in the Columbus, OH metro area is $61,780 a year, or $29.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $96,530 a year. The top 25% earn $96,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,720 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $46,240 or less.
How many firefighters work in Columbus, OH?
About 4,130 firefighters are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.