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Airport Firefighting Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Airport Firefighting information

See Tennessee salary details

$25.9K

$54.1K

$90.8K

How much do airport firefighting jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for airport firefighting in Tennessee is $54,100.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,300.00 and $62,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is airport firefighting?

Airport firefighting is a specialized branch of firefighting that focuses on responding to aviation-related emergencies at airports, such as aircraft fires, fuel spills, and rescue situations. Airport firefighters are trained to handle high-risk scenarios unique to the aviation environment, including rapid response to runway incidents and hazardous materials. They also conduct fire prevention inspections, train for mass casualty events, and work closely with airport operations and emergency services. The goal is to protect passengers, crew, airport staff, and infrastructure while ensuring the safety and security of air travel.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an airport firefighter?

To thrive as an Airport Firefighter, you need expertise in fire suppression, emergency medical response, and hazardous materials handling, typically supported by certifications such as Firefighter I/II, EMT, and specialized ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting) training. Proficiency with firefighting equipment, rescue tools, and communication systems such as radios and alarm monitoring panels is essential. Strong teamwork, quick decision-making, and calmness under pressure are vital soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure rapid, effective response to aviation emergencies, safeguarding lives and property in a high-risk environment.

What are some common challenges faced by airport firefighters, and how are they addressed on the job?

Airport firefighters often face unique challenges such as responding to large-scale aircraft emergencies, hazardous material incidents, and rapidly changing weather conditions. These situations require swift decision-making, specialized training, and close coordination with airport operations and emergency services. To address these challenges, airport firefighters participate in regular, scenario-based drills, maintain certifications in aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF), and work within highly structured teams to ensure clear communication and safety protocols are always followed.

What is the difference between Airport Firefighting vs Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting?

AspectAirport FirefightingAirport Rescue and Fire Fighting
CertificationsFirefighter certification, HAZMAT trainingFirefighter certification, HAZMAT training
Work EnvironmentAirports, aircraft rescue zonesAirports, aircraft rescue zones
Employer & IndustryAirports, airlines

Both Airport Firefighting and Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting involve responding to aircraft emergencies at airports. They share similar certifications, work environments, and industry usage. The terms are often used interchangeably, but 'Airport Firefighting' is the more common term for the role focused on aircraft rescue and fire suppression at airports.

What are popular job titles related to Airport Firefighting jobs in Tennessee?

For Airport Firefighting jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Airport Firefighting jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Airport Firefighting job openings:

Infographic showing various Airport Firefighting job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,100 per year, or $26 per hour.

Air Traffic Controller - John Tune Tower - Nashville, TN.

CI² Aviation

Nashville, TN • On-site

$65 - $85/hr

Other

Re-posted 11 days ago


Job description

SUMMARY

Responsible for the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic control duties in a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Airport Traffic Control Tower.

DIMENSIONS OF POSITION

Works under the general supervision of the tower manager who relies on the incumbent to perform established duties independently. On new or revised procedures, the manager gives detailed instructions and observes and checks work, during or immediately after completion, according to the complexity of the task until satisfied the incumbent can perform it independently.

REQUIREMENTS
  • Must have a minimum of (2) years of experience as an Air Traffic Controller.
  • Must have a current or previous Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) Certificate and a current Class II Medical Certificate.
  • Must have held a Control Tower Operator Certificate (CTO) with a facility rating for a minimum of two years in an Air Traffic Control Tower.
  • The position is subject to drug and/or alcohol testing per the DOT/FAA requirements (pre‑employment, random, reasonable cause/suspicion, post‑accident).
ACCOUNTABILITY

Making decisions involving:

  1. The order of departures will ensure all aircraft equitable treatment and will ensure that departing Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flights operate at the fixed altitude, and the time designated by the center or approach control clearances.
  2. The times and direction of takeoff and any turn necessary after departure.
  3. Whether inbound aircraft is to land immediately or circle and whether distances are lengthened to control the arrival of an aircraft at a given point.
  4. The active runway and possible simultaneous use of other runways.
  5. The time and methods by which arrivals and departures can be interspersed with the least delay to traffic.
  6. When landing and departing aircraft are cleared to use the runways to assure standard separation between aircraft on the runways.
  7. The sequence of arriving traffic, before it enters the traffic pattern, to assure a safe, orderly flow of aircraft on the final approach to the landing runway.
  8. Enduring that IFR separation standards are applied, as delegated by approach control or the center, in limited areas around the airport to provide initial separation between IFR arrivals and IFR departures and between successive IFR departures.
  9. The sequence of VFR and IFR traffic, and when delegated, using radar equipment to provide initial separation for arrival‑versus‑arrival and arrival‑versus‑departure IFR traffic.
  10. When VFR flights through Class D airspace can be authorized.

Determines the usability of communications frequencies and other navigational aids used to control air traffic. Monitors navigational aids and control panels, including tower radar display to determine the acceptability of its alignment and display presentation. Instructs pilots to change radio frequencies/transponder codes.

  1. When appropriate, coordinate with other controllers on the movement of both arrival and departure aircraft.
  2. When traffic conditions warrant, controllers in non‑approach terminals are responsible for:
  3. Preplanning traffic sequencing and separation over an area, which may reach out to a radius of 5 miles or more.
  4. Preplanning and setting up checkpoints required to ensure the maintenance of necessary traffic separation.
  5. Maintaining a continuous mental picture and evaluation of constantly changing traffic, frequency dispersed throughout his/her area of jurisdictional responsibility.
  6. Maintaining continuous radio watch with aircraft that have previously contacted the facility.
MANAGING INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES (IFR) TRAFFIC FOR AIRPORT
  1. Studies weather reports and forecasts, obtains LAWRS/SAWRS weather certification, observes weather from the tower, and records pilot reports to determine the effect of present and anticipated weather on traffic; furnishes aircraft with information such as field conditions, altimeter settings, weather conditions, operating status of navigational aids, and observed malfunctioning of aircraft; forwards weather reports to the weather bureau, AFSS, and the appropriate center/approach control; operates light guns, runway lights, field lighting, jet barriers, etc.
  2. Orients pilots of aircraft lost or in difficulty; determines whether a given situation may develop into an emergency; and notifies airlines operations offices, airport management offices, and airport rescue and firefighting services.
  3. Performs lower‑grade level duties as necessary to meet operational requirements and for proficiency maintenance.
  4. Provides on‑the‑job (OJT) training to others.
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