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EMT in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Public safety

Tennessee employs 3,860 emts, with a statewide median of $40,330 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Emts Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay
$40,330 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile)
$29,720
Experienced (75th percentile)
$48,430
Top earners (90th percentile)
$59,370
Employed in Tennessee
3,860
U.S. median (for comparison)
$39,380 (May 2024)
Starting $29,720 Median $40,330 Top 10% $59,370 $20k$30k$40k$50k$60k$70k The bar spans the 10th–90th percentile of current workers.

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for emts in major Tennessee markets:

Clarksville
$48,480 (120 employed)
Nashville
$47,990 (930 employed)
Chattanooga
$41,390 (270 employed)
Memphis
$38,620 (860 employed)
Knoxville
$38,330 (560 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee

Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $40,330 median stretches to roughly $43,885 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow emts employment +7.6%, faster than the +5.1% projected nationally. The state expects about 280 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

Tennessee EMT License — regulated by the Tennessee Department of Health — Emergency Medical Services Board.

  1. Complete a Tennessee EMS Board-approved EMT Basic course (typically 120–150 hours of classroom, skills lab, and clinical training) offered through community colleges, fire departments, or EMS training programs.
  2. Pass the NREMT cognitive and psychomotor exams — NREMT certification is the basis for Tennessee state EMT licensure.
  3. Apply to the Tennessee EMS Board for state EMT licensure. Renew every two years with continuing education (10 hours CE, minimum 2.5 hours pediatric topics).

Official requirements: Tennessee Department of Health — Emergency Medical Services Board →

Training in Tennessee

EMT training is available through Volunteer State, Nashville State, and dozens of fire department and EMS training programs across Tennessee. Rural/Metro EMS (Global Medical Response), AMR Tennessee, Nashville Fire Department's EMS division, and Memphis Fire are major EMT employers. Tennessee's large rural areas and limited helicopter EMS coverage create strong ground EMT demand.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

Where Emts Work in Tennessee

Real Tennessee EMS agencies that employ emts include:

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want fast healthcare entry, thrive under pressure, and want a credential that opens doors to paramedic and firefighter careers.

Think twice if: Physically demanding patient lifting, shift work including nights and weekends, and starting wages under $40k sound impractical.

Why it's resilient: Emergency medical response is inherently physical, local, and human — impossible to automate and always urgently needed.

First Steps

Enroll in an EMT-Basic program — most run about 150 hours over one semester at a community college or fire academy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do emts make in Tennessee?

The median wage for emts in Tennessee is $40,330 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $29,720, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $59,370. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an EMT in Tennessee?

Tennessee EMT License, overseen by the Tennessee Department of Health — Emergency Medical Services Board. Complete a Tennessee EMS Board-approved EMT Basic course (typically 120–150 hours of classroom, skills lab, and clinical training) offered through community colleges, fire departments, or EMS training programs.

Is being an EMT a good career in Tennessee?

Emergency medical response is inherently physical, local, and human — impossible to automate and always urgently needed.

Which Tennessee metros pay emts the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Clarksville leads at $48,480, followed by Nashville ($47,990), Chattanooga ($41,390). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an EMT in Tennessee?

Real Tennessee options include Baptist Health Sciences University, Chattanooga State Community College, Cleveland State Community College. Most emts start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is EMT a growing career in Tennessee?

Tennessee projects emts employment to change +7.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 280 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2042. Licensing summary compiled from the Tennessee Department of Health — Emergency Medical Services Board (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Tennessee wages · Tennessee licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.

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