Ohio Firefighter Salary (2026) – City Breakdown, Overtime & Real Take-Home
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Ohio firefighter compensation varies widely by department, schedule, overtime policy, and benefits. This guide breaks down what Ohio firefighters actually earn — from entry-level pay to top-step with overtime — across the state's six largest departments: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, and Akron.
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Ohio Firefighter Salary — Quick Numbers (2026)
Based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (most recent available) and current department pay scales, the statewide median wage for firefighters in Ohio is $59,470, with a mean of $59,170. This statewide figure blends thousands of small-department and part-paid positions with career metro departments — the bottom 10% of earners statewide make around $35,420, while the top 10% make about $87,160 in base pay before overtime. Firefighters at Ohio's six largest career departments typically land well above the state median once rank, step, and overtime are factored in.
| Level | Annual Base Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry-level (small/rural department) | $35,000–$50,000 |
| Entry-level (major-metro academy/probation) | $54,000–$70,000 |
| Mid-career (5–10 years) | $62,000–$85,000 |
| Top-step Firefighter (major metro) | $85,000–$112,000 |
| With overtime (realistic, major metro) | $95,000–$130,000 |
| Engineer / Driver-Operator | $80,000–$100,000 |
| Captain | $95,000–$156,000 |
Source: BLS OEWS statewide estimates, department civil-service job postings, and current union contracts. Numbers reflect base pay; total compensation with overtime and benefits runs higher, especially at large metro departments with heavy call volume.
City-by-City Breakdown
| Department | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus Division of Fire | ~$70,000 first-year step → $112,000+ top step | Ohio's largest department — 1,600+ sworn members across 35 stations. Under the current IAFF Local 67 contract (running through October 2026), first-year base rose to roughly $69,976 and top-step pay to roughly $112,164, with captains near $156,000. Deepest bench of specialty units in the state and the most consistent hiring cycles. |
| Cleveland Division of Fire | $61,250 starting → ~$90,000+ top step | A new three-year IAFF Local 93 contract (retroactive to April 2025) delivered a 21% overall pay increase for first-grade firefighters. Staffing shortages mean regular, heavy overtime availability. |
| Cincinnati Fire Department | $54,000–$58,000 entry → $88,000–$92,000 top step | Dual fire/EMS response model with steady call volume driving consistent overtime. Paramedic certification adds meaningful premium pay on top of base. |
| Toledo Fire & Rescue Department | $49,000–$54,000 entry → $84,000–$87,000 top step | Northwest Ohio's career hub — 18 stations, career staffing since 1837. Smaller than the "3C" departments but runs consistent hiring cycles via National Testing Network. |
| Dayton Fire Department | $52,000–$56,000 entry → ~$85,000 top step | Combined fire/EMS role with paramedic-certified firefighters earning a real premium — reported firefighter/paramedic pay regularly clears $80,000–$99,000 with experience and overtime. |
| Akron Fire Department | $71,968 during academy → ~$88,000–$92,000 top step | Summit County's largest department. Notably, Akron pays recruits a full firefighter/medic salary during the training academy rather than a reduced trainee rate — one of the stronger entry offers in the state. |
City figures combine current civil-service job postings, union contract terms where published, and salary-aggregator data. Pay tables change between budget cycles and contract negotiations — always confirm exact current numbers on the department's own civil-service page before comparing offers.
Overtime and Premium Pay
Cleveland carries the heaviest overtime load of Ohio's major departments right now, driven by ongoing staffing shortages that push regular shifts into mandatory backfill. Columbus overtime has been rising steadily along with the city's population growth and call volume. Cincinnati and Dayton see consistent OT tied to their combined fire/EMS response models, where paramedic-certified crews run high call counts. Most Ohio departments operate on a 24/48 shift schedule, which by itself creates routine overtime opportunities for sick coverage, training backfill, and special details.
Use the Salary Comparison Tool to model different overtime assumptions before comparing departments — treat any overtime figure as a range, not a guarantee.
Retirement and Pension
All career Ohio firefighters, regardless of department, participate in the statewide Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (OP&F) — a defined-benefit plan with an employee contribution rate of approximately 12.25% of gross pay, above the national average for public-safety pension systems. In exchange, OP&F offers a strong benefit: firefighters can retire after 25 years of service at age 48 with a pension equal to roughly 72% of their average salary, and the fund is generally well-funded relative to comparable large state public-safety systems.
Unlike no-income-tax states, Ohio does levy a state income tax (a modest bracket structure topping out in the low single digits), so factor that into any take-home comparison against states like Texas or Florida.
Cost of Living — What Your Salary Actually Buys
Ohio remains one of the more affordable states for firefighters relative to base pay. Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati all sit below the national average for housing costs despite being major metros. Toledo, Dayton, and Akron are among the most affordable mid-sized cities in the country, meaning a $60,000–$85,000 salary stretches noticeably further there than in coastal or high-growth Sun Belt metros. Columbus has seen the fastest cost-of-living growth of the six as the city's population expansion continues, but it's still well below cities like Austin or Denver.
How to Compare Two Ohio Departments
- Match the same rank and step (entry vs. 5-year vs. top step) — comparing an entry rate at one department to a top-step rate at another isn't a fair comparison.
- Confirm the schedule type and how overtime is calculated under the current contract.
- OP&F terms are statewide, but confirm whether your department offers any local pension supplement.
- Ask for healthcare premium costs for your specific coverage tier.
- Subtract deductions, then compare realistic take-home against housing costs in that specific city — not the metro average.
- Add conservative overtime assumptions — use low-end estimates, not maximum-scenario numbers, when deciding between offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average firefighter salary in Ohio?
The BLS statewide median wage for firefighters in Ohio is $59,470, with a mean of $59,170. Career firefighters at Ohio's major-metro departments typically earn $62,000–$85,000 in base pay depending on rank, step, and department, with Columbus reaching over $112,000 at top step. With realistic overtime at a busy department, total compensation can range from $95,000–$130,000.
Do Ohio firefighters get a pension?
Yes — all career Ohio firefighters participate in the statewide Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (OP&F), a defined-benefit plan. Employee contributions run approximately 12.25% of gross pay, above the national average, but the plan allows retirement after 25 years of service at age 48 with a pension equal to roughly 72% of average salary.
Is Ohio a good state for a firefighter career?
Ohio is a solid choice — mid-tier base pay paired with a very low cost of living gives most Ohio firefighters strong real purchasing power. The OP&F pension is dependable but carries an above-average employee contribution rate. Columbus offers the highest pay ceiling and deepest career-advancement bench, while Cleveland currently offers the most overtime opportunity due to staffing gaps.
Interested in working as a firefighter in Ohio? See how to become a firefighter — requirements, CPAT, written exam, and academy explained step by step.
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