Firefighter salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Firefighters in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $49,300 a year ($23.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,910 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $49,300. There are 2.0 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| 25th percentile | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Median | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| 75th percentile | $59,630 | $28.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,910 | $34.57 |
| Average (mean) | $53,290 | $25.62 |
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 | $4,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,054.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,896.15 |
| Weekly | $948.08 |
| Hourly | $23.70 |
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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $47,160 | 970 |
| 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Inspectors and Investigators | $77,160 | $37.10 |
| Security Guard | $37,010 | $17.80 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $68,780 | $33.07 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $50,940 | $24.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $94,420 | $45.39 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,600 | $22.88 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| School Bus Monitor | $30,640 | $14.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $69,470 | $33.40 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $44,890 | $21.58 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for firefighters in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $49,300 a year, or $23.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $71,910 a year. The top 25% earn $59,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,060 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $45,820 or less.
How many firefighters work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 2,170 firefighters are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.