Firefighter Salary in Memphis, TN
Firefighters in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median $62,910 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,728 take-home, or $4,394 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median firefighter salary in Memphis, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,369
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,900
- Medicare (1.45%)$912
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$52,728
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro spans Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Firefighter pay by experience in Memphis, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,290 | $17.45 | $31,339 | $2,612 |
| 25th percentile | $44,060 | $21.18 | $37,582 | $3,132 |
| Median (50th) | $62,910 | $30.25 | $52,728 | $4,394 |
| 75th percentile | $70,460 | $33.88 | $58,399 | $4,867 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,460 | $33.88 | $58,399 | $4,867 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $62,910 buys in Memphis, TN
Prices in Memphis, TN are 7.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 20% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median firefighter's $52,728 take-home pay has the buying power of $57,202 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Memphis, TN has 1.2× the national concentration of firefighter jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for firefighters, adjusted for cost of living
Memphis, TN ranks #26 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 |
| 26 | Memphis, TN | $62,910 | $52,728 | $57,202 |
*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
- Nashville, TN — $49,300
- Knoxville, TN — $47,160
- Chattanooga, TN — $46,060
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Memphis, TN?
The median firefighter salary in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $62,910 a year, or about $30.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $44,060 and $70,460.
What is a firefighter’s take-home pay in Memphis, TN?
On the median $62,910 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $52,728 a year ($4,394 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Memphis, TN a good place to work as a firefighter?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $59,280. Local prices are 7.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $57,202 would in a typical U.S. city. Memphis, TN ranks #26 of 133 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a firefighter afford rent in Memphis, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Memphis, TN is $1,137 a month ($1,263 for two bedrooms) — 26% of a median firefighter’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN
- First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $82,320
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $79,050
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $75,410
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $53,210
- First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers — $50,830
- Security Guard — $35,100
- Crossing Guard and Flagger — $32,610
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $27,260