How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Knoxville, TN in 2026?
Typical pay for Paramedics in Knoxville, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Tennessee.
BLS OES May 2025 · Knoxville metro area
A typical Paramedic in Knoxville, Tennessee earns $24.58 per hour, or $51,130 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $4,261 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $46,690, and the top 10% of earners make over $72,500.
That pay is 11% below the Tennessee figure of $57,690 and 16% below the national figure of $60,600. Knoxville ranks 6th of 8 metro areas in Tennessee for Paramedic pay. About 380 Paramedics work in the Knoxville area.
Paramedic pay in Knoxville at a glance
- Typical pay is $24.58 an hour, or $51,130 a year.
- That is 11% below the Tennessee figure, ranking 6th of 8 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $46,690; the top 10% make over $72,500.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Paramedic make in Knoxville?
Pay in Knoxville runs from entry-level positions at around $22.45 an hour to more than $34.86 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Tennessee and national figures.
Paramedic pay by career stage in Knoxville
| Career stage | Knoxville | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $46,690$22.45 an hour | $41,410$19.91 an hour | $44,230$21.27 an hour |
| First years | $48,570$23.35 an hour | $48,510$23.32 an hour | $49,660$23.88 an hour |
| Typical Paramedic | $51,130$24.58 an hour | $57,690$27.74 an hour | $60,600$29.13 an hour |
| Experienced | $59,270$28.49 an hour | $76,570$36.81 an hour | $73,470$35.32 an hour |
| Top 10% | $72,500$34.86 an hour | $80,190$38.55 an hour | $84,850$40.80 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Knoxville area as BLS defines it
Paramedic pay growth in Knoxville
Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in the Knoxville area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical Paramedic pay in Knoxville was $47,080 a year. By 2025 it had reached $51,130.
How Knoxville compares with other Tennessee cities
Memphis pays Paramedics the most in Tennessee at $66,830 a year, $15,700 more than Knoxville. The lowest-paying area in the state is Kingsport at $47,060.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Knoxville | Paramedics employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $66,830 | $32.13 | +31% | 810 |
| 2 | Franklin | $63,450 | $30.50 | +24% | 1,310 |
| 3 | Clarksville | $60,330 | $29.01 | +18% | 130 |
| 4 | Chattanooga | $53,220 | $25.59 | +4% | 270 |
| 5 | Jackson | $51,550 | $24.78 | +1% | 100 |
| 6 | Knoxville | $51,130 | $24.58 | this city | 380 |
| 7 | Johnson City | $49,250 | $23.68 | -4% | 100 |
| 8 | Bristol metro incl. Kingsport | $47,060 | $22.63 | -8% | 160 |
Every metro area in Tennessee with Paramedic wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Tennessee typical pay $57,690
Is Knoxville a good place to work as a Paramedic?
Paramedics in Knoxville earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $51,130 a year, 16% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Knoxville area, about 0.9 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 Knoxville, TN?
- A typical Paramedic in Knoxville earns $51,130 a year, or $24.58 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $46,690 and the top 10% earn over $72,500.
- How much does a Paramedic make an hour in Knoxville?
- Typical hourly pay for Paramedics in Knoxville is $24.58. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $22.45, and the top 10% earn over $34.86 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in Knoxville?
- Entry-level Paramedic positions in Knoxville typically offer around $22.45 an hour, or $46,690 a year.
- Is Paramedic pay in Knoxville higher than in the rest of Tennessee?
- Knoxville pay is 11% below the Tennessee figure of $57,690 a year, ranking 6th of 8 metro areas in the state. Memphis pays the most in Tennessee at $66,830.