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Firefighter Salary in Charlotte, North Carolina

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$58,290/ year

Median Firefighter in Charlotte, NC

$35,260
10th
$43,000
25th
$58,290
Median
$77,000
75th
$93,940
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$58,290
Total compensation (est.)
$67,034
Bonus range
$2,150 – $9,240
Mean salary
$61,787

How This Compares

ℹ

Local BLS metro data isn't available for Charlotte yet — showing the national median as a reference. Add local data →

Charlotte, NC median
$58,290
North Carolina median
$59,456-2.0%
National median
$58,290

Cost of living in Charlotte is 0% below the national average. Salary of $58,290 here is equivalent to $58,290 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$41,969-28.0%
3-5 years
$53,044-9.0%
6-10 years
$65,285+12.0%
10+ years
$80,440+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$51,295-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$58,290
Enterprise (5,000+)
$68,782+18.0%

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Firefighter Salaries in Nearby Cities

Raleigh, NC$58,290/yr
Greensboro, NC$58,290/yr
Durham, NC$58,290/yr
Winston-Salem, NC$58,290/yr
Fayetteville, NC$58,290/yr

Related Jobs in Charlotte

Police Officer$67,290/yr
Correctional Officer$49,610/yr
Security Guard$35,830/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$28/hr
Monthly gross$4,858/mo
25th percentile$43,000/yr
75th percentile$77,000/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

North Carolina Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.9%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Firefighter Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Firefighter salary in Charlotte?

The median Firefighter salary in Charlotte is $58,290 per year, with a range from $43,000 at the 25th percentile to $77,000 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Firefighter pay in Charlotte compare to the national average?

Firefighter salaries in Charlotte are 0% above the national median of $58,290. After adjusting for Charlotte's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $58,290 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Firefighter salaries in Charlotte?

In Charlotte, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Firefighter roles start around $35,260, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $93,940 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Charlotte a good place for Firefighter jobs?

Charlotte offers a Firefighter median of $58,290, which is 0% above the US median of $58,290. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Charlotte is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Firefighter salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Firefighter in Charlotte is $77,000, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.