Tennessee Firefighter Salaries by Department
Starting pay at 14 Tennessee fire departments, taken from the pay figures each department published in its own job postings over the last two years. Across 12 current Tennessee listings with annual pay, the average starting salary is $62,206.
Highest recent entry-level starting pay in Tennessee
- 1. Wilson County Emergency Management Agency $76,926 (Paramedic/FF, July 2026)
- 2. Rutherford County Fire-Rescue Department Station 51 $63,913 (Paramedic - FT, August 2026)
- 3. Brentwood Fire & Rescue Department $57,739 (Certified Firefighter, September 2026)
- 4. Sevierville Fire Department $53,560 (Firefighter, September 2026)
- 5. City of Tullahoma Fire Department $48,586 (Firefighter, July 2026)
Tennessee departments with official pay schedules
- Memphis Division of Fire Services $48,078 entry pay a year (Source: Pay plan, Jul 2026 (FY2027))
- Nashville Fire Department $62,714 entry pay a year (Source: Pay plan, Jul 2026 (FY2027))
All Tennessee departments with posted pay
| Department | Starting pay posted | Top of range | Postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherford County Fire-Rescue Department Station 51 · Murfreesboro | $55,537 to $63,913 | $68,590 | 2 |
| Bartlett Fire Department · Bartlett | $92,486 | $106,924 | 1 |
| Brentwood Fire & Rescue Department · Brentwood | $57,739 | $72,731 | 1 |
| City of Tullahoma Fire Department · Tullahoma | $48,586 | $50,549 | 1 |
| Clarksville Fire Rescue · Clarksville | $43,066 | $52,347 | 1 |
| Crossville Fire Department · Crossville | $36,234 | $53,290 | 1 |
| Henrietta Volunteer Fire Department · Clarksville | $43,066 | Not listed | 1 |
| Sevierville Fire Department · Sevierville | $53,560 | $58,060 | 1 |
| Signal Mountain Fire Department · Signal Mountain | $41,074 | $51,115 | 1 |
| Wilson County Emergency Management Agency · Lebanon | $76,926 | Not listed | 1 |
| Gallatin Fire Department · Gallatin | $19.56/hr | Not listed | 1 |
| Jonesborough Fire Department · Jonesborough | $21.62/hr | Not listed | 1 |
| LaVergne Fire Department, Inc. · La Vergne | $19.81/hr | Not listed | 1 |
| Spring Hill Fire Department · Spring Hill | $18.72/hr | Not listed | 2 |
Figures are as each department listed them in closed postings. Current openings show their pay to FireJobs members.