GovernmentUpdated Q1 2026

Firefighter Salary
in Dayton, OH

Respond to fires, medical emergencies, and accidents to protect lives and property. Median salary in Dayton: $46K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$46K
per year
Take-home: $31K

Salary range in Dayton

Entry level (25th)$34,000
Median (50th)$46,000
Senior (75th)$62,000
Top earner (90th)$82,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Dayton, Ohio. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Dayton

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

21% discount vs national median

Firefighters in Dayton earn approximately 21% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $12,000 discount on annual base salary. Dayton's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 80 (US avg = 100).

Rent eats 37% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Dayton ($950/mo) consumes approximately 37% of an after-tax median Firefighter salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($62K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Primarily on-site role

Only 0% of Firefighter positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Dayton salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Key facts for Dayton

Median salary
$46K
annual
Take-home pay
$31K
after fed/state tax
COL index
80
100 = US avg
State income tax
3.99%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$950
per month
YoY growth
+2.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Dayton Firefighter to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $46K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Dayton

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Firefighter salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$39K$42K$46K$49K$52K201920212023202520272029
2026
$47K
projected
2027
$48K
projected
2028
$50K
projected
2029
$51K
projected
2030
$52K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$46,000+$0
2028 projected$46,000+$0
2029 projected$46,000+$0
2030 projected$46,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Firefighter Salary in Dayton, Ohio: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Firefighter salary in Dayton, OH is $46,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Dayton–OH metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Firefighter in Dayton

Entry-level Firefighters in Dayton with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $34,000 and $46,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $46,000 to $62,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $62,000 to $82,000 or more.

Cost of living in Dayton for Firefighters

Dayton has a cost of living index of 80 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 20% further in Dayton than the national average. Ohio has a 3.99% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Firefighter

Fire academy; EMT certification; civil service exam. 0% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Firefighter salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Dayton (current)$46K80
Columbus$58K90
Cleveland$53K82
Cincinnati$55K88
Toledo$45K78
Akron$46K80