Firefighter salary in Johnson City, TN
Firefighters in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn a median of $40,720 a year ($19.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,180 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 17% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,300. There are 1.2 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $40,300, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Johnson City, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,390 | $13.17 |
| 25th percentile | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| Median | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| 75th percentile | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Average (mean) | $40,300 | $19.37 |
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 | $3,393.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,696.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,566.15 |
| Weekly | $783.08 |
| Hourly | $19.58 |
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 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $49,300 | 2,170 |
| Knoxville, TN | $47,160 | 970 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,060 | 560 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,110 | 270 |
| Jackson, TN | $36,140 | 230 |
| Morristown, TN | $36,040 | 120 |
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 Johnson City, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $46,560 | $22.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $40,570 | $19.51 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $74,020 | $35.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $36,110 | $17.36 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Johnson City, TN
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 Johnson City, TN?
The median salary for firefighters in the Johnson City, TN metro area is $40,720 a year, or $19.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Johnson City, TN?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn at least $45,180 a year. The top 25% earn $45,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Johnson City, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,390 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $35,440 or less.
How many firefighters work in Johnson City, TN?
About 100 firefighters are employed in the Johnson City, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.