Firefighter in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Public safety
Tennessee employs 7,020 firefighters, with a statewide median of $49,300 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.
What Firefighters Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)
- Tennessee median pay
- $49,300 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $33,910
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $61,670
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $70,460
- Employed in Tennessee
- 7,020
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $57,120 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for firefighters in major Tennessee markets:
- Memphis
- $62,910 (1,660 employed)
- Clarksville
- $54,950 (300 employed)
- Nashville
- $49,300 (2,170 employed)
- Knoxville
- $47,160 (970 employed)
- Chattanooga
- $46,060 (560 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee
Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $49,300 median stretches to roughly $53,645 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)
Tennessee is projected to grow firefighters employment +10.7%, faster than the +3.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 400 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Tennessee License and Certification Requirements
Firefighter I & II Certification (Tennessee Commission / IFSAC accredited) — regulated by the Tennessee Commission on Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education.
- Affiliate with or be sponsored by a Tennessee fire department (paid or volunteer) before pursuing state certification, or enroll in the Tennessee Fire & Codes Enforcement Academy (TFACA) 10-week recruit course.
- Complete a Tennessee Commission-approved Firefighter I & II training program meeting NFPA 1001 standards. Pass the written knowledge and practical skills exams through the Tennessee Commission on Firefighting.
- EMT-Basic certification is required by most Tennessee career departments. Apply to Nashville Fire, Memphis Fire, Knoxville Fire, Chattanooga Fire, or surrounding county departments.
Official requirements: Tennessee Commission on Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education →
Training in Tennessee
Nashville Fire Department, Memphis Fire, and the surrounding county departments hire regularly given Tennessee's population growth. TFACA's campus in northern Bedford County offers the 10-week recruit program. Entry-level competition varies by market — Nashville and Memphis have the most structured hiring processes.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:
- Chattanooga State Community College — Associate
- Volunteer State Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Walters State Community College — Associate
Where Firefighters Work in Tennessee
Real Tennessee fire departments that employ firefighters include:
- Pea Ridge Volunteer Fire Department — 1038 Fire Hall Road
- Adams Volunteer Fire Department — Adams
- Adamsville Fire Department — Adamsville
- McNairy County Fire Department Station 12 Leapwood Fire Department — Adamsville
- Alamo Fire Department — Alamo
- Alcoa Fire Department Station 1 — Alcoa
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People drawn to public service, physical challenge, and team-based work with a clear civic purpose.
Think twice if: Shift work, physical fitness testing, fire and smoke exposure, and civil service hiring timelines sound prohibitive.
Why it's resilient: Firefighting requires physical presence, real-time judgment, community trust, and licensed skills that are inherently resistant to automation.
First Steps
Research your local fire department's recruitment cycle and start EMT-Basic training as the first practical step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do firefighters make in Tennessee?
The median wage for firefighters in Tennessee is $49,300 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $33,910, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $70,460. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Firefighter in Tennessee?
Firefighter I & II Certification (Tennessee Commission / IFSAC accredited), overseen by the Tennessee Commission on Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education. Affiliate with or be sponsored by a Tennessee fire department (paid or volunteer) before pursuing state certification, or enroll in the Tennessee Fire & Codes Enforcement Academy (TFACA) 10-week recruit course.
Is being a Firefighter a good career in Tennessee?
Firefighting requires physical presence, real-time judgment, community trust, and licensed skills that are inherently resistant to automation.
Which Tennessee metros pay firefighters the most?
Among Tennessee metro areas, Memphis leads at $62,910, followed by Clarksville ($54,950), Nashville ($49,300). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Firefighter in Tennessee?
Real Tennessee options include Chattanooga State Community College, Volunteer State Community College, Walters State Community College. Most firefighters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Firefighter a growing career in Tennessee?
Tennessee projects firefighters employment to change +10.7% from 2024 to 2034, with about 400 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 33-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Tennessee Commission on Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Tennessee wages · Tennessee licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.