Firefighter salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Firefighters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $46,060 a year ($22.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,090 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 7% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,300. There are 2.1 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,810 | $15.77 |
| 25th percentile | $39,810 | $19.14 |
| Median | $46,060 | $22.15 |
| 75th percentile | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| Average (mean) | $48,660 | $23.40 |
Half of firefighters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,838.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,919.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,771.54 |
| Weekly | $885.77 |
| Hourly | $22.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $62,910 | 1,660 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $54,950 | 300 |
| Savannah, GA | $50,470 | 720 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $49,300 | 2,170 |
| Hinesville, GA | $49,210 | 150 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $48,770 | 530 |
| Dalton, GA | $48,110 | 180 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $47,540 | 510 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $47,300 | 6,350 |
| Knoxville, TN | $47,160 | 970 |
| Gainesville, GA | $46,870 | 450 |
| Albany, GA | $46,540 | 210 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $45,660 | 450 |
| Rome, GA | $44,780 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,110 | 270 |
| Johnson City, TN | $40,720 | 100 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $40,330 | 270 |
| Jackson, TN | $36,140 | 230 |
| Morristown, TN | $36,040 | 120 |
| Valdosta, GA | $34,600 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,330 | $24.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,860 | $35.99 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,430 | $23.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $77,920 | $37.46 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $74,600 | $35.87 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| School Bus Monitor | $28,180 | $13.55 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $64,980 | $31.24 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $46,060 a year, or $22.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $61,090 a year. The top 25% earn $61,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,810 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $39,810 or less.
How many firefighters work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 560 firefighters are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.