Firefighter salary in Ohio
Firefighters in Ohio earn a median of $59,370 a year ($28.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 18,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,010 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $59,280. Ohio ranks 18th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 3.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,130, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Ohio
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| 25th percentile | $40,710 | $19.57 |
| Median | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| 75th percentile | $74,250 | $35.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Average (mean) | $58,130 | $27.95 |
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 | $4,947.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,473.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,283.46 |
| Weekly | $1,141.73 |
| Hourly | $28.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Ohio
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $62,720 | 3,660 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Ohio
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Security Guard | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $59,370 | $28.55 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,770 | $13.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $98,380 | $47.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $84,490 | $40.62 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $53,020 | $25.49 |
| Bailiff | $51,060 | $24.55 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,110 | $13.51 |
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 Ohio?
The median salary for firefighters in Ohio is $59,370 a year, or $28.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Ohio?
The top 10% of firefighters in Ohio earn at least $84,010 a year. The top 25% earn $74,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Ohio?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,420 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $40,710 or less.
How many firefighters work in Ohio?
About 18,100 firefighters are employed in Ohio, not counting the self-employed.