Emergency Medical Technician salary in Tennessee
Emergency Medical Technicians in Tennessee earn a median of $40,330 a year ($19.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,370 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $44,470. Tennessee ranks 31st of 51 states for emergency medical technicians pay. There are 1.2 emergency medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency medical technicians in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,720 | $14.29 |
| 25th percentile | $36,910 | $17.74 |
| Median | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| 75th percentile | $48,430 | $23.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| Average (mean) | $43,370 | $20.85 |
Half of emergency medical technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,360.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,680.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,551.15 |
| Weekly | $775.58 |
| Hourly | $19.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Emergency Medical Technician salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Morristown, TN | $51,000 | 100 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $48,480 | 120 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,990 | 930 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $41,390 | 270 |
| Jackson, TN | $39,180 | 120 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,620 | 860 |
| Knoxville, TN | $38,330 | 560 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,680 | 220 |
| Johnson City, TN | $36,620 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for emergency medical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66,410 |
| Alaska | $57,440 |
| New Jersey | $53,610 |
| Washington | $52,690 |
| Rhode Island | $51,290 |
| Connecticut | $50,640 |
| Massachusetts | $50,230 |
| Oregon | $49,270 |
| New York | $48,400 |
| Maryland | $48,100 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,630 | $31.07 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| Paramedic | $57,690 | $27.74 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,180 | $23.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a emergency medical technician make in Tennessee?
The median salary for emergency medical technicians in Tennessee is $40,330 a year, or $19.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency medical technicians make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of emergency medical technicians in Tennessee earn at least $59,370 a year. The top 25% earn $48,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency medical technicians in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,720 a year, and a quarter of emergency medical technicians earn $36,910 or less.
How many emergency medical technicians work in Tennessee?
About 3,860 emergency medical technicians are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.