Firefighter Salary in Louisville, KY — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Louisville's cost of living (index: 87). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Firefighter Salary in Louisville — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Louisville
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Louisville
Louisville has a metro population of 1,410,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.8% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Louisville
Other Professions in Louisville
Firefighter Salary — Other Kentucky Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Firefighter make in Louisville, KY?
The estimated median salary for a Firefighter in Louisville is $52,783 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $60,670 adjusted by Louisville's cost of living index (87). The typical salary range runs from $36,792 (25th percentile) to $74,472 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $97,823.
Is Louisville affordable for a Firefighter?
On a $52,783 annual salary, a Firefighter in Louisville would spend approximately 20.3% of gross monthly income on median rent ($895/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Louisville relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $235,000 is 4.5× the annual salary.
How does a Firefighter's salary compare to Louisville's overall income?
Louisville's median household income is $59,600. A Firefighter earning the city-adjusted median of $52,783 earns 11.4% less than the typical Louisville household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Louisville has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.