SOC 33-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Firefighters — Southern Ohio
Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In Southern Ohio, OH the median wage is $45,220.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Southern Ohio, OH the median wage is $45,220. That is 23.7% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay ranges from under $22,880 at the tenth percentile to more than $76,240 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $30,390 to $59,790.
The area has 350 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.96 — 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 378 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 247th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,880 | −61.4% |
| 25th | $30,390 | −48.7% |
| Median (50th) | $45,220 | −23.7% |
| 75th | $59,790 | +0.9% |
| 90th | $76,240 | +28.6% |
| Mean | $46,560 | −21.5% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland | $62,720 | 3,660 | |
| 2 | Columbus | $61,780 | 4,130 | |
| 3 | Akron | $61,140 | 1,240 | |
| 4 | Toledo | $60,590 | 1,010 | |
| 5 | Lima | $60,020 | 150 | |
| 6 | Cincinnati | $58,570 | 3,380 | |
| 7 | Dayton | $57,400 | 1,260 | |
| 8 | Sandusky | $47,270 | 270 | |
| 9 | Mansfield | $45,930 | 230 | |
| 10 | Youngstown | $43,420 | 630 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southern Ohio run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $45,220 goes as far as $48,728 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,220as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,728US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,220 a year, 23.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,880 to $76,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 350 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 Southern Ohio, OH?
The median annual wage is $45,220, or $21.74 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 Southern Ohio, OH is 23.7% lower. 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 Southern Ohio, OH earns more than $76,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,880 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 350 jobs in this occupation in Southern Ohio, 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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