How Much Does an EMT Make in Chattanooga, TN in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in Chattanooga, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Tennessee.
BLS OES May 2025 · Chattanooga metro area
A typical EMT in Chattanooga, Tennessee earns $19.90 per hour, or $41,390 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,449 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $31,440, and the top 10% of earners make over $48,260.
That pay is 3% above the Tennessee figure of $40,330 and 7% below the national figure of $44,470. Chattanooga ranks 4th of 9 metro areas in Tennessee for EMT pay. About 270 EMTs work in the Chattanooga area.
EMT pay in Chattanooga at a glance
- Typical pay is $19.90 an hour, or $41,390 a year.
- That is 3% above the Tennessee figure, ranking 4th of 9 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $31,440; the top 10% make over $48,260.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an EMT make in Chattanooga?
Pay in Chattanooga runs from entry-level positions at around $15.12 an hour to more than $23.20 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Tennessee and national figures.
EMT pay by career stage in Chattanooga
| Career stage | Chattanooga | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $31,440$15.12 an hour | $29,720$14.29 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $37,900$18.22 an hour | $36,910$17.74 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $41,390$19.90 an hour | $40,330$19.39 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $45,940$22.09 an hour | $48,430$23.28 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $48,260$23.20 an hour | $59,370$28.54 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Chattanooga area as BLS defines it
EMT pay growth in Chattanooga
Typical (median) annual wage for EMTs in the Chattanooga area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical EMT pay in Chattanooga was $36,290 a year. By 2025 it had reached $41,390.
How Chattanooga compares with other Tennessee cities
Morristown pays EMTs the most in Tennessee at $51,000 a year, $9,610 more than Chattanooga. The lowest-paying area in the state is Johnson City at $36,620.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Chattanooga | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morristown | $51,000 | $24.52 | +23% | 100 |
| 2 | Clarksville | $48,480 | $23.31 | +17% | 120 |
| 3 | Franklin | $47,990 | $23.07 | +16% | 930 |
| 4 | Chattanooga | $41,390 | $19.90 | this city | 270 |
| 5 | Jackson | $39,180 | $18.84 | -5% | 120 |
| 6 | Memphis | $38,620 | $18.57 | -7% | 860 |
| 7 | Knoxville | $38,330 | $18.43 | -7% | 560 |
| 8 | Bristol metro incl. Kingsport | $36,680 | $17.64 | -11% | 220 |
| 9 | Johnson City | $36,620 | $17.61 | -12% | 120 |
Every metro area in Tennessee with EMT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Tennessee typical pay $40,330
Is Chattanooga a good place to work as an EMT?
EMTs in Chattanooga earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $41,390 a year, 7% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Chattanooga area, about 1.0 are EMT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.2. EMT jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Chattanooga, TN?
- A typical EMT in Chattanooga earns $41,390 a year, or $19.90 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $31,440 and the top 10% earn over $48,260.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Chattanooga?
- Typical hourly pay for EMTs in Chattanooga is $19.90. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $15.12, and the top 10% earn over $23.20 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Chattanooga?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Chattanooga typically offer around $15.12 an hour, or $31,440 a year.
- Is EMT pay in Chattanooga higher than in the rest of Tennessee?
- Chattanooga pay is 3% above the Tennessee figure of $40,330 a year, ranking 4th of 9 metro areas in the state. Morristown pays the most in Tennessee at $51,000.