How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Tennessee in 2026?

A typical Paramedic in Tennessee earns about $27.74 per hour, or $57,690 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $4,808 a month. On a weekly basis, pay comes to about $1,109, a figure calculated from the annual pay.

That pay sits about 5% below the national figure for paramedics, which stands at $60,600 a year, or $29.13 an hour. Tennessee ranks 33rd among the 51 states and territories tracked for this occupation. With 3,710 paramedics working across the state, compared with 100,610 nationwide, Tennessee represents a modest share of the profession's total workforce.

Entry-level positions in Tennessee typically offer around $19.91 an hour, or about $41,410 a year, for paramedics just starting out. That's noticeably below the state's typical pay of $57,690. Within a few years of experience, pay tends to climb toward that typical figure as paramedics gain certifications, seniority, and experience in higher-acuity settings.

Experienced Paramedics in Tennessee often earn upwards of $76,570 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $80,190. That leaves a spread of $38,780 between entry-level and top pay in the state. Setting, years on the job, and which city a paramedic works in typically account for most of that difference.

Tennessee paramedic pay climbed from $46,640 in 2021 to $57,690 in 2025, a gain of $11,050. That works out to a 24% rise over five years, one of the more notable increases the state has recorded for this occupation. Pay moved up each year across that stretch, without a single down year.

Nationally, paramedic pay rose 30% over the same stretch, a steeper climb than Tennessee's. That means Tennessee's growth, while real, has trailed the national pace slightly. For someone starting a paramedic career in Tennessee now, recent years show pay has moved up consistently, though future gains aren't guaranteed to follow the same path.

Pay runs highest in Memphis, where paramedics typically earn $66,830 a year ($32.13 an hour), about 16% above the statewide figure. The Nashville metro area, which includes Franklin, Murfreesboro, and Davidson, follows close behind at $63,450 a year. Clarksville rounds out the higher-paying markets at $60,330 a year.

Pay runs lowest in Kingsport, where paramedics typically earn $47,060 a year ($22.63 an hour), a spread of $19,770 between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas covered here. Franklin's metro area employs the most paramedics in the state, at 1,310 workers. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and lower pay in smaller markets usually tracks a lower cost of living.

Among neighboring states, Virginia pays paramedics the most, at $60,480 a year, about 5% above Tennessee's figure. Missouri also runs slightly higher, at $59,180. On the lower end, Alabama pays the least among Tennessee's neighbors, at $48,540, about 16% below Tennessee. Kentucky and Arkansas also pay less. Paramedic licensure earned in Tennessee can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Paramedics in Tennessee typically earn $57,690 a year, pay that has risen 24% since 2021. That growth has been steady, though it still trails the national pace. Readers weighing a paramedic career in Tennessee can check the state's licensing or EMS registry page for current certification requirements, and the city pages on this site for local pay figures in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and beyond.