Firefighter salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Firefighters in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $68,480 a year ($32.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,060 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 9% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $62,780. There are 3.4 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,110, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| 25th percentile | $54,920 | $26.41 |
| Median | $68,480 | $32.92 |
| 75th percentile | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,060 | $42.82 |
| Average (mean) | $67,110 | $32.26 |
Half of firefighters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,706.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,853.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,633.85 |
| Weekly | $1,316.92 |
| Hourly | $32.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $82,820 | 14,560 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $75,860 | 420 |
| Evansville, IN | $66,840 | 330 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $65,230 | 160 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $63,760 | 270 |
| Muncie, IN | $62,780 | 130 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $58,570 | 3,380 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $56,450 | 440 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $54,850 | 200 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $54,460 | 150 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $45,160 | 1,640 |
| Columbus, IN | $43,510 | 90 |
| Bloomington, IN | $37,620 | 230 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $73,440 | $35.31 |
| Security Guard | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $83,110 | $39.96 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,810 | $13.85 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $36,450 | $17.53 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| School Bus Monitor | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $98,890 | $47.54 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,590 | $46.92 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $76,730 | $36.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Bailiff | $34,940 | $16.80 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for firefighters in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $68,480 a year, or $32.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $89,060 a year. The top 25% earn $77,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,410 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $54,920 or less.
How many firefighters work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 3,740 firefighters are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.