Firefighter Salary in Chattanooga, TN
Firefighters in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median $46,060 a year — 22% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,189 take-home, or $3,266 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Chattanooga, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,347
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,856
- Medicare (1.45%)$668
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$39,189
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro spans Tennessee, Georgia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Firefighter pay by experience in Chattanooga, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,810 | $15.77 | $28,543 | $2,379 |
| 25th percentile | $39,810 | $19.14 | $34,167 | $2,847 |
| Median (50th) | $46,060 | $22.14 | $39,189 | $3,266 |
| 75th percentile | $61,090 | $29.37 | $51,266 | $4,272 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,090 | $29.37 | $51,266 | $4,272 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,060 buys in Chattanooga, TN
Prices in Chattanooga, TN are 8.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $39,189 take-home pay has the buying power of $42,847 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Firefighter jobs are about as common in Chattanooga, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.94).
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Chattanooga, TN ranks #85 of 133 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $152,100 | $103,333 | $93,580 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $101,090 | $79,947 | $71,938 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $113,700 | $80,995 | $70,057 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $106,420 | $78,458 | $69,701 |
| 5 | Rochester, NY | $89,120 | $67,308 | $69,365 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $83,310 | $67,439 | $67,206 |
| 7 | Reno, NV | $81,360 | $66,067 | $65,404 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $94,080 | $69,272 | $64,941 |
| 85 | Chattanooga, TN | $46,060 | $39,189 | $42,847 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 133 metros →
Firefighter salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Memphis, TN — $62,910
- Nashville, TN — $49,300
- Knoxville, TN — $47,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Chattanooga, TN?
The median firefighter salary in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $46,060 a year, or about $22.14 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,810 and $61,090.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Chattanooga, TN?
On the median $46,060 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $39,189 a year ($3,266 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Chattanooga, TN a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 22% below the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 8.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $42,847 would in a typical U.S. city. Chattanooga, TN ranks #85 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Chattanooga, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chattanooga, TN is $1,263 a month ($1,390 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $51,330
- Security Guard — $35,650