Firefighter salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Firefighters in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $62,910 a year ($30.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,460 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 28% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,300. There are 2.7 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,560, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| 25th percentile | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| Median | $62,910 | $30.24 |
| 75th percentile | $70,460 | $33.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,460 | $33.88 |
| Average (mean) | $57,560 | $27.67 |
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 | $5,242.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,621.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,419.62 |
| Weekly | $1,209.81 |
| Hourly | $30.24 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $54,950 | 300 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $49,940 | 180 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $49,300 | 2,170 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $48,110 | 760 |
| Knoxville, TN | $47,160 | 970 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,060 | 560 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,110 | 270 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $41,760 | 730 |
| Johnson City, TN | $40,720 | 100 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $38,570 | 660 |
| Jackson, TN | $36,140 | 230 |
| Morristown, TN | $36,040 | 120 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $35,990 | 150 |
| Jackson, MS | $34,970 | 530 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $34,630 | 50 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $31,440 | 90 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $30,830 | 130 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $82,280 | $39.56 |
| Security Guard | $35,100 | $16.88 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,210 | $25.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $79,050 | $38.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $27,260 | $13.10 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,610 | $15.68 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $99,680 | $47.92 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $78,920 | $37.94 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $45,040 | $21.65 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $75,480 | $36.29 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for firefighters in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $62,910 a year, or $30.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $70,460 a year. The top 25% earn $70,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,290 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $44,060 or less.
How many firefighters work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 1,660 firefighters are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.