How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Bristol, VA in 2026?
Typical pay for Paramedics in Bristol, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Virginia.
BLS OES May 2025 · Kingsport · Bristol metro area
A typical Paramedic in Bristol, Virginia earns $22.63 per hour, or $47,060 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,922 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $31,730, and the top 10% of earners make over $62,920.
That pay is 22% below the Virginia figure of $60,480 and 22% below the national figure of $60,600. Bristol ranks 8th of 8 metro areas in Virginia for Paramedic pay. About 160 Paramedics work in the Kingsport · Bristol area.
Paramedic pay in Bristol at a glance
- Typical pay is $22.63 an hour, or $47,060 a year.
- That is 22% below the Virginia figure, ranking 8th of 8 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $31,730; the top 10% make over $62,920.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Paramedic make in Bristol?
Pay in Bristol runs from entry-level positions at around $15.26 an hour to more than $30.25 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Virginia and national figures.
Paramedic pay by career stage in Bristol
| Career stage | Bristol | Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $31,730$15.26 an hour | $42,520$20.44 an hour | $44,230$21.27 an hour |
| First years | $36,680$17.63 an hour | $49,960$24.02 an hour | $49,660$23.88 an hour |
| Typical Paramedic | $47,060$22.63 an hour | $60,480$29.08 an hour | $60,600$29.13 an hour |
| Experienced | $61,690$29.66 an hour | $67,030$32.23 an hour | $73,470$35.32 an hour |
| Top 10% | $62,920$30.25 an hour | $77,280$37.15 an hour | $84,850$40.80 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Kingsport · Bristol area as BLS defines it
Paramedic pay growth in Bristol
Typical (median) annual wage for Paramedics in the Kingsport · Bristol area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical Paramedic pay in Bristol was $46,510 a year. By 2025 it had reached $47,060.
How Bristol compares with other Virginia cities
Arlington pays Paramedics the most in Virginia at $75,190 a year, $28,130 more than Bristol. The lowest-paying area in the state is Bristol at $47,060.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Bristol | Paramedics employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington | $75,190 | $36.15 | +60% | 840 |
| 2 | Virginia Beach | $64,120 | $30.83 | +36% | 400 |
| 3 | Charlottesville | $63,870 | $30.71 | +36% | 100 |
| 4 | Richmond | $63,750 | $30.65 | +35% | — |
| 5 | Winchester | $60,600 | $29.14 | +29% | 50 |
| 6 | Roanoke | $59,020 | $28.37 | +25% | 100 |
| 7 | Blacksburg metro incl. Christiansburg · Radford | $50,150 | $24.11 | +7% | 120 |
| 8 | Bristol | $47,060 | $22.63 | this city | 160 |
Every metro area in Virginia with Paramedic wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Virginia typical pay $60,480
Is Bristol a good place to work as a Paramedic?
Paramedics in Bristol earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $47,060 a year, 22% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Kingsport · Bristol area, about 1.3 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 Bristol, VA?
- A typical Paramedic in Bristol earns $47,060 a year, or $22.63 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $31,730 and the top 10% earn over $62,920.
- How much does a Paramedic make an hour in Bristol?
- Typical hourly pay for Paramedics in Bristol is $22.63. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $15.26, and the top 10% earn over $30.25 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a Paramedic in Bristol?
- Entry-level Paramedic positions in Bristol typically offer around $15.26 an hour, or $31,730 a year.
- Is Paramedic pay in Bristol higher than in the rest of Virginia?
- Bristol pay is 22% below the Virginia figure of $60,480 a year, ranking 8th of 8 metro areas in the state. Arlington pays the most in Virginia at $75,190.