Firefighter salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Firefighters in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median of $75,860 a year ($36.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,390 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 21% higher 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 $70,360, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Fort Wayne, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,520 | $25.73 |
| 25th percentile | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Median | $75,860 | $36.47 |
| 75th percentile | $75,860 | $36.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,390 | $36.72 |
| Average (mean) | $70,360 | $33.83 |
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 | $6,321.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,160.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,917.69 |
| Weekly | $1,458.85 |
| Hourly | $36.47 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Columbus, IN | $43,510 | 90 |
| 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 Fort Wayne, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,140 | $16.89 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,720 | $13.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $40,000 | $19.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $95,400 | $45.87 |
| School Bus Monitor | $32,340 | $15.55 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $74,820 | $35.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $66,720 | $32.08 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $47,180 | $22.68 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne, IN?
The median salary for firefighters in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $75,860 a year, or $36.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn at least $76,390 a year. The top 25% earn $75,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Fort Wayne, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,520 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $65,160 or less.
How many firefighters work in Fort Wayne, IN?
About 420 firefighters are employed in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.