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Firefighter Salary in Columbus, Ohio

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

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$51,878/ year

Median Firefighter in Columbus, OH

$31,381
10th
$38,270
25th
$51,878
Median
$68,530
75th
$83,607
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$51,878
Total compensation (est.)
$59,660
Bonus range
$2,150 – $9,240
Mean salary
$54,991

How This Compares

Columbus, OH median
$51,878
Ohio median
$59,456-12.7%
National median
$58,290-11.0%

Cost of living in Columbus is 11% below the national average. Salary of $51,878 here is equivalent to $58,290 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$37,352-28.0%
3-5 years
$47,209-9.0%
6-10 years
$58,103+12.0%
10+ years
$71,592+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$45,653-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$51,878
Enterprise (5,000+)
$61,216+18.0%

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Firefighter Salaries in Nearby Cities

Cleveland, OH$49,547/yr
Cincinnati, OH$50,129/yr
Toledo, OH$58,290/yr
Akron, OH$58,290/yr
Dayton, OH$58,290/yr

Related Jobs in Columbus

Police Officer$59,888/yr
Correctional Officer$44,153/yr
Security Guard$31,889/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$25/hr
Monthly gross$4,323/mo
25th percentile$38,270/yr
75th percentile$68,530/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

Ohio Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.5%

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Firefighter salary in Columbus?

The median Firefighter salary in Columbus is $51,878 per year, with a range from $38,270 at the 25th percentile to $68,530 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

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

Firefighter salaries in Columbus are 11% below the national median of $58,290. After adjusting for Columbus'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 Columbus?

In Columbus, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Firefighter roles start around $31,381, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $83,607 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Columbus a good place for Firefighter jobs?

Columbus offers a Firefighter median of $51,878, which is 11% below the US median of $58,290. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Columbus is 11% 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 Columbus is $68,530, 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.