Firefighters Salary in East Tennessee

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $38,710 -35% vs national
Median hourly $18.61
10th percentile $26,210
90th percentile $64,370
Employed locally 400
National median $59,530

Compare Firefighters salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how East Tennessee stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Firefighters
in
East Tennessee
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,210
    25th
    $35,160
    50th (median)
    $38,710
    75th
    $53,020
    90th
    $64,370

    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

    Related occupations in East Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $52,040
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $47,300
    Security Guards $35,360
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $34,740
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $57,480
    First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers $57,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in East Tennessee?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in East Tennessee is $18.61, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.90 or more per hour.

    Is East Tennessee above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in East Tennessee is 35% 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 East Tennessee?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $26,210 per year in East Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,160.