Firefighters Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $45,560 -23.5% vs national
Median hourly $21.90
10th percentile $32,960
90th percentile $60,420
Employed locally 590
National median $59,530

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Firefighters
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,960
    25th
    $35,890
    50th (median)
    $45,560
    75th
    $60,420
    90th
    $60,420

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 66% Median Firefighters salary is 34% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Firefighters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $164,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $121,270
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $108,320
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $105,250
    Vallejo, CA $104,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $102,220

    Nearby metros — Firefighters salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $63,650
    Clarksville, TN-KY $48,270
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $47,960
    Knoxville, TN $47,510
    Johnson City, TN $41,130
    Jackson, TN $37,460

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,550
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $49,150
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $49,140
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $74,040
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $77,060
    First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers $53,330

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $21.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.37 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 23.5% below the national median of $59,530. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Firefighters in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $32,960 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,890.