Paramedic salary in Tennessee
Paramedics in Tennessee earn a median of $57,690 a year ($27.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,190 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $60,600. Tennessee ranks 33rd of 51 states for paramedics pay. There are 1.1 paramedics per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for paramedics in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,410 | $19.91 |
| 25th percentile | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Median | $57,690 | $27.74 |
| 75th percentile | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,190 | $38.55 |
| Average (mean) | $59,870 | $28.78 |
Half of paramedics 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 | $4,807.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,403.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,218.85 |
| Weekly | $1,109.42 |
| Hourly | $27.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Paramedic salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,830 | 810 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $63,450 | 1,310 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $60,330 | 130 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $53,220 | 270 |
| Jackson, TN | $51,550 | 100 |
| Knoxville, TN | $51,130 | 380 |
| Johnson City, TN | $49,250 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $47,060 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for paramedics
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $104,310 |
| New Jersey | $86,630 |
| Hawaii | $81,280 |
| District of Columbia | $78,550 |
| Connecticut | $77,480 |
| Minnesota | $76,300 |
| Oregon | $74,840 |
| California | $74,590 |
| New York | $73,200 |
| Alaska | $71,860 |
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 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| 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 29-2043. 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 paramedic make in Tennessee?
The median salary for paramedics in Tennessee is $57,690 a year, or $27.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid paramedics make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of paramedics in Tennessee earn at least $80,190 a year. The top 25% earn $76,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for paramedics in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,410 a year, and a quarter of paramedics earn $48,510 or less.
How many paramedics work in Tennessee?
About 3,710 paramedics are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.