Firefighters Salary in Tennessee
Firefighters in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $49,300 —16.8% below the national median of $59,280. That ranks TN #30 of 50 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.96×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for firefighters
All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $100,960 | $48.54 | 12,950 | 0.60 |
| 2 | Washington | $94,520 | $45.44 | 7,560 | 0.96 |
| 3 | California | $85,120 | $40.92 | 31,470 | 0.78 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $84,130 | $40.45 | 7,500 | 0.79 |
| 5 | Illinois | $78,380 | $37.68 | 18,400 | 1.36 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $77,630 | $37.32 | 2,970 | 0.79 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $75,870 | $36.48 | 1,480 | 0.95 |
| 8 | Colorado | $74,170 | $35.66 | 6,510 | 1.02 |
| 9 | Maryland | $73,810 | $35.49 | 5,340 | 0.87 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $73,460 | $35.32 | 5,020 | 0.37 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | $36,000 | $38,020 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $59,280 | $76,210 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,940 | $58,940 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,200 | $33,580 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,770 | $106,040 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,090 | $93,790 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do firefighters make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for firefighters in Tennessee is $49,300, or $23.70 per hour. That is 16.8% below the national median of $59,280.
What is the entry-level firefighters salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $33,910 per year ($16.30/hour). The 25th percentile is $39,360.
How many people work as firefighters in Tennessee?
About 7,020 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 2.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for firefighters?
Tennessee ranks #30 of 50 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.96x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays firefighters the most?
New York has the highest median wage at $100,960 per year, followed by Washington ($94,520) and California ($85,120).