Firefighter salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Firefighters in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $44,110 a year ($21.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,020 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 11% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,300. There are 2.3 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,600, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,010 | $13.95 |
| 25th percentile | $32,110 | $15.44 |
| Median | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| 75th percentile | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Average (mean) | $43,600 | $20.96 |
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 | $3,675.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,837.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,696.54 |
| Weekly | $848.27 |
| Hourly | $21.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $66,980 | 7,610 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $62,910 | 1,660 |
| Richmond, VA | $60,790 | 2,020 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $56,940 | 2,880 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $54,950 | 300 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $49,410 | 80 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $49,300 | 2,170 |
| Knoxville, TN | $47,160 | 970 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $46,860 | 260 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,060 | 560 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $45,450 | 260 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $43,900 | 180 |
| Johnson City, TN | $40,720 | 100 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,310 | 540 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $38,380 | 60 |
| 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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| Security Guard | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $74,970 | $36.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,840 | $12.91 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,760 | $15.75 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $84,660 | $40.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $64,740 | $31.13 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $44,110 a year, or $21.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $60,020 a year. The top 25% earn $47,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,010 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $32,110 or less.
How many firefighters work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 270 firefighters are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.