Firefighter salary in Knoxville, TN
Firefighters in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $47,160 a year ($22.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,450 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 4% 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 $49,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,790 | $15.28 |
| 25th percentile | $37,660 | $18.11 |
| Median | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| 75th percentile | $60,450 | $29.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| Average (mean) | $49,910 | $23.99 |
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 | $3,930 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,965 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,813.85 |
| Weekly | $906.92 |
| Hourly | $22.67 |
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 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,060 | 560 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,110 | 270 |
| Johnson City, TN | $40,720 | 100 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,810 | $17.22 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $56,380 | $27.11 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,040 | $25.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $78,600 | $37.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $48,710 | $23.42 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $26,920 | $12.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $55,920 | $26.89 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $43,150 | $20.74 |
| School Bus Monitor | $26,680 | $12.83 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for firefighters in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $47,160 a year, or $22.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $70,450 a year. The top 25% earn $60,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,790 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $37,660 or less.
How many firefighters work in Knoxville, TN?
About 970 firefighters are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.