Firefighter Salary in Winston-Salem, NC — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Winston-Salem's cost of living (index: 88). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Firefighter Salary in Winston-Salem — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Winston-Salem
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 Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem has a metro population of 680,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 4.2% unemployment rate is near the national average.
Financial Calculators for Winston-Salem
Other Professions in Winston-Salem
Firefighter Salary — Other North Carolina Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Firefighter make in Winston-Salem, NC?
The estimated median salary for a Firefighter in Winston-Salem is $53,390 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $60,670 adjusted by Winston-Salem's cost of living index (88). The typical salary range runs from $37,215 (25th percentile) to $75,328 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $98,947.
Is Winston-Salem affordable for a Firefighter?
On a $53,390 annual salary, a Firefighter in Winston-Salem would spend approximately 21.4% of gross monthly income on median rent ($950/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Winston-Salem relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $230,000 is 4.3× the annual salary.
How does a Firefighter's salary compare to Winston-Salem's overall income?
Winston-Salem's median household income is $52,600. A Firefighter earning the city-adjusted median of $53,390 earns 1.5% more than the typical Winston-Salem household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
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.