How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Chattanooga, TN in 2026?
Typical pay for Paramedics 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 Paramedic in Chattanooga, Tennessee earns $25.59 per hour, or $53,220 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $4,435 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $48,900, and the top 10% of earners make over $59,360.
That pay is 8% below the Tennessee figure of $57,690 and 12% below the national figure of $60,600. Chattanooga ranks 4th of 8 metro areas in Tennessee for Paramedic pay. About 270 Paramedics work in the Chattanooga area.
Paramedic pay in Chattanooga at a glance
- Typical pay is $25.59 an hour, or $53,220 a year.
- That is 8% below the Tennessee figure, ranking 4th of 8 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $48,900; the top 10% make over $59,360.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Paramedic make in Chattanooga?
Pay in Chattanooga runs from entry-level positions at around $23.51 an hour to more than $28.54 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Tennessee and national figures.
Paramedic pay by career stage in Chattanooga
| Career stage | Chattanooga | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $48,900$23.51 an hour | $41,410$19.91 an hour | $44,230$21.27 an hour |
| First years | $53,220$25.59 an hour | $48,510$23.32 an hour | $49,660$23.88 an hour |
| Typical Paramedic | $53,220$25.59 an hour | $57,690$27.74 an hour | $60,600$29.13 an hour |
| Experienced | $57,660$27.72 an hour | $76,570$36.81 an hour | $73,470$35.32 an hour |
| Top 10% | $59,360$28.54 an hour | $80,190$38.55 an hour | $84,850$40.80 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Chattanooga area as BLS defines it
Paramedic pay growth in Chattanooga
Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in the Chattanooga area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical Paramedic pay in Chattanooga was $38,250 a year. By 2025 it had reached $53,220.
How Chattanooga compares with other Tennessee cities
Memphis pays Paramedics the most in Tennessee at $66,830 a year, $13,610 more than Chattanooga. The lowest-paying area in the state is Kingsport at $47,060.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Chattanooga | Paramedics employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $66,830 | $32.13 | +26% | 810 |
| 2 | Franklin | $63,450 | $30.50 | +19% | 1,310 |
| 3 | Clarksville | $60,330 | $29.01 | +13% | 130 |
| 4 | Chattanooga | $53,220 | $25.59 | this city | 270 |
| 5 | Jackson | $51,550 | $24.78 | -3% | 100 |
| 6 | Knoxville | $51,130 | $24.58 | -4% | 380 |
| 7 | Johnson City | $49,250 | $23.68 | -7% | 100 |
| 8 | Bristol metro incl. Kingsport | $47,060 | $22.63 | -12% | 160 |
Every metro area in Tennessee with Paramedic wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Tennessee typical pay $57,690
Is Chattanooga a good place to work as a Paramedic?
Paramedics in Chattanooga earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $53,220 a year, 12% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Chattanooga area, about 1.0 are Paramedic positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 0.6. That makes the local economy more reliant on Paramedics than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Paramedic make in Chattanooga, TN?
- A typical Paramedic in Chattanooga earns $53,220 a year, or $25.59 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $48,900 and the top 10% earn over $59,360.
- How much does a Paramedic make an hour in Chattanooga?
- Typical hourly pay for Paramedics in Chattanooga is $25.59. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $23.51, and the top 10% earn over $28.54 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in Chattanooga?
- Entry-level Paramedic positions in Chattanooga typically offer around $23.51 an hour, or $48,900 a year.
- Is Paramedic pay in Chattanooga higher than in the rest of Tennessee?
- Chattanooga pay is 8% below the Tennessee figure of $57,690 a year, ranking 4th of 8 metro areas in the state. Memphis pays the most in Tennessee at $66,830.