Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Firefighters Salary in Ohio: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Firefighters salary really buy you in Ohio?

Ohio is 8.5% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$59,370
Median annual (2025)
+9.3%
Real Purchasing Power
$64,885
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.5)

Ohio Cost of Living Index

Ohio's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.5, meaning prices are 8.5% lower the national average. A Firefighters earning $59,370 in Ohio has the equivalent purchasing power of $64,885 in an average-cost US state.

OH: 91.5
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Ohio's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $34,420 $37,617 +$3,197
25th Percentile (P25) $40,710 $44,491 +$3,781
Median (P50) $59,370 $64,885 +$5,515
75th Percentile (P75) $74,250 $81,147 +$6,897
90th Percentile (P90) $84,010 $91,814 +$7,804
Key Insight

A Firefighters in Ohio earns $59,370 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $64,885 in an average-cost state. This makes Ohio one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Ohio Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.5

Ohio's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.5 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.5% less than the national average. For a Firefighters, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+9.3%

After applying Ohio's RPP, the $59,370 median salary translates to $64,885 in real terms — a 9.3% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Firefighters.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#17 / 50

Ohio sits at #17 of 50 states for Firefighters COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Firefighters (After Cost of Living)

Where does Firefighters salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$93,828
RPP 107.6
$86,083
RPP 109.8
$77,374
RPP 101.3
$77,325
RPP 108.8
$76,361
RPP 96.2
$75,662
RPP 112.5
$72,960
RPP 106.4
$72,502
RPP 102.3
$70,295
RPP 105.0
10. Nevada
$69,056
RPP 96.4

Ohio ranks #17 out of 50 states for Firefighters after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Firefighters take-home pay in Ohio after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Firefighters in Ohio after cost of living?

A Firefighters in Ohio earns a median salary of $59,370 per year. After adjusting for Ohio's cost of living (RPP=91.5), the real purchasing power is $64,885 — a +9.3% difference.

Is Ohio expensive to live in?

Ohio's cost of living is 8.5% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Ohio is 91.5 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Firefighters in Ohio: $59,370 x (100 / 91.5) = $64,885. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Firefighters in Ohio financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Firefighters in Ohio enjoys 9.3% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy