Firefighters pay range in Fort Wayne
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $53,520 a year or less, while the top 10% make $76,390 or more. The middle half of firefighters in Fort Wayne earn between $65,160 and $75,860.
- $54K10th
- $65K25th
- $76KMedian
- $76K75th
- $76K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $70,360 | $5,863 | $33.83 |
| Median | $75,860 | $6,322 | $36.47 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $65,160 | $5,430 | $31.33 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $75,860 | $6,322 | $36.47 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Firefighters pay in Fort Wayne vs. Indiana and the U.S.
Firefighters in Fort Wayne earn 13% more than the Indiana average ($62,420) and 11% more than the U.S. average ($63,630). At the median the gap is +28% against the U.S. median of $59,280.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Wayne | $70,360 | $75,860 | $53,520 | $76,390 | 420 |
| Indiana | $62,420 | $62,780 | $38,460 | $81,890 | 8,530 |
| United States | $63,630 | $59,280 | $34,910 | $101,040 | 345,990 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Firefighters salary after taxes in Fort Wayne
On the average salary of $70,360, a single filer in Fort Wayne takes home about $55,145 a year, or $4,595 a month and $2,121 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Fort Wayne's local income tax (1.59%).
Is Fort Wayne a good place for firefighters? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Fort Wayne area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.6), so the average $70,360 buys what about $76,006 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Fort Wayne ($47,700). A typical home costs $259,816, or 3.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Firefighters salary in other Indiana cities
Fort Wayne ranks 1st of 11 Indiana metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Fort Wayne$70,360
- Indianapolis$67,110
- Evansville$67,060
- Michigan City$64,660
- Lafayette$61,520
- Elkhart$60,430
- Muncie$58,750
- South Bend$55,960
- Terre Haute$51,050
- Columbus$49,600
Highest-paying cities for firefighters
Bakersfield, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($199,490).
- Bakersfield, CA$199,490
- San Jose, CA$134,270
- San Francisco, CA$110,590
- Los Angeles, CA$108,860
- Seattle, WA$100,450
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Firefighters salary in Fort Wayne: questions
How much do firefighters make an hour in Fort Wayne?
$33.83 an hour on average, and $36.47 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level firefighters salary in Fort Wayne?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $53,520 a year and the 25th percentile is $65,160, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the firefighters take-home pay in Fort Wayne?
About $55,145 a year ($4,595 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $70,360. Includes Fort Wayne's local income tax (1.59%).
Do firefighters earn more in Fort Wayne than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% more than the U.S. average for this job ($63,630).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 33-2011; area Fort Wayne, IN (23060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Fort Wayne's local income tax (1.59%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.84, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.