SOC 33-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Firefighters — Columbus
Columbus, OH · 10 metro areas compared
At $61,780, median pay for Firefighters in Columbus, OH tracks the national median of $59,280 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $61,780, median pay for Firefighters in Columbus, OH tracks the national median of $59,280 closely. Pay ranges from under $35,720 at the tenth percentile to more than $96,530 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $46,240 to $96,530.
The area has 4,130 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.68 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Cleveland records the highest median at $62,720. Of the 611 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 308th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,720 | −39.7% |
| 25th | $46,240 | −22.0% |
| Median (50th) | $61,780 | +4.2% |
| 75th | $96,530 | +62.8% |
| 90th | $96,530 | +62.8% |
| Mean | $67,630 | +14.1% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland | $62,720 | 3,660 | |
| 2 | Akron | $61,140 | 1,240 | |
| 3 | Toledo | $60,590 | 1,010 | |
| 4 | Lima | $60,020 | 150 | |
| 5 | Cincinnati | $58,570 | 3,380 | |
| 6 | Dayton | $57,400 | 1,260 | |
| 7 | Sandusky | $47,270 | 270 | |
| 8 | Mansfield | $45,930 | 230 | |
| 9 | Youngstown | $43,420 | 630 | |
| 10 | Canton | $40,170 | 570 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbus run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $61,780 goes as far as $66,573 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,573US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,780 a year, 4.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,720 to $96,530 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Cleveland, at $62,720.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Firefighters in Columbus, OH?
The median annual wage is $61,780, or $29.70 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,280, so pay in Columbus, OH is 4.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Columbus, OH earns more than $96,530 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,720 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Cleveland, at $62,720 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,130 jobs in this occupation in Columbus, OH. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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