Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Emergency Medical Technicians in Tennessee, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$40,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.39
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $44,470
State Rank
#31 of 51
3,860 employed here

How much does an Emergency Medical Technician make in Tennessee?

An Emergency Medical Technician working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $40,330 per year, or about $19.39 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $44,470 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $29,720 while the top 10% make $59,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,910 and $48,430 a year.

Emergency Medical Technician salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$29,720$14.29
25th percentile (early career)$36,910$17.75
50th percentile (median)$40,330$19.39
75th percentile (experienced)$48,430$23.28
90th percentile (top earners)$59,370$28.54

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories for Emergency Medical Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$66,410
2Alaska$57,440
3New Jersey$53,610
4Washington$52,690
5Rhode Island$51,290

Working as an Emergency Medical Technician in Tennessee

Nationally, about 181,000 people work as Emergency Medical Technicians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($40,330) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Emergency Medical Technician make in Tennessee?
The median Emergency Medical Technician salary in Tennessee is $40,330 per year, or about $19.39 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,720 at the entry level to $59,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Emergency Medical Technicians about 9% less than the national median of $44,470. Tennessee ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Emergency Medical Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $40,330 a year. About 3,860 Emergency Medical Technicians are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Emergency Medical Technician salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.