Firefighter salary in Wheeling, WV-OH
Firefighters in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn a median of $41,140 a year ($19.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,370 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 10% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $37,350. There are 3.6 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Wheeling, WV-OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| 25th percentile | $33,050 | $15.89 |
| Median | $41,140 | $19.78 |
| 75th percentile | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Average (mean) | $43,120 | $20.73 |
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 | $3,428.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,714.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,582.31 |
| Weekly | $791.15 |
| Hourly | $19.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,980 | 7,610 |
| 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 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $49,690 | 230 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $48,070 | 110 |
| Sandusky, OH | $47,270 | 270 |
| Mansfield, OH | $45,930 | 230 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $43,420 | 630 |
| Beckley, WV | $41,770 | 80 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $40,170 | 570 |
| Charleston, WV | $38,780 | 230 |
| 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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wheeling, WV-OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Security Guard | $30,960 | $14.89 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $58,380 | $28.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $73,190 | $35.19 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $24,320 | $11.69 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $43,250 | $20.79 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Wheeling, WV-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 Wheeling, WV-OH?
The median salary for firefighters in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area is $41,140 a year, or $19.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Wheeling, WV-OH?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area earn at least $59,370 a year. The top 25% earn $48,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Wheeling, WV-OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,020 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $33,050 or less.
How many firefighters work in Wheeling, WV-OH?
About 210 firefighters are employed in the Wheeling, WV-OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.