Firefighters Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $47,510 -20.2% vs national
Median hourly $22.84
10th percentile $32,180
90th percentile $71,470
Employed locally 980
National median $59,530

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Firefighters
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Knoxville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,180
    25th
    $38,990
    50th (median)
    $47,510
    75th
    $61,160
    90th
    $71,470

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Firefighters salary vs area income 68% Median Firefighters salary is 32% 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
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $45,560
    Johnson City, TN $41,130
    Jackson, TN $37,460

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $35,960
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $60,460
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $60,590
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $49,560
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $75,850
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $25,350

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Firefighters make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Firefighters in Knoxville, TN is $22.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.87 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Firefighters salaries?

    The median Firefighters salary in Knoxville, TN is 20.2% 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Firefighters (10th percentile) earn around $32,180 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,990.