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

Public safety

Tennessee employs 3,710 paramedics, with a statewide median of $57,690 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Paramedics Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay: $57,690 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $41,410
Experienced (75th percentile): $76,570
Top earners (90th percentile): $80,190
Employed in Tennessee: 3,710
U.S. median (for comparison): $58,410 (May 2024)

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

Memphis: $66,830 (810 employed)
Nashville: $63,450 (1,310 employed)
Clarksville: $60,330 (130 employed)
Chattanooga: $53,220 (270 employed)
Knoxville: $51,130 (380 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 $57,690 median stretches to roughly $62,775 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow paramedics employment +7.8%, faster than the +5.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 190 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

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

Hold a current EMT certification and complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program (typically 1,000+ hours over 12–18 months, including didactic, clinical, and field internship hours).
Pass the NREMT Paramedic cognitive and psychomotor exams. Tennessee requires a current NREMT Paramedic certification as the basis for state licensure.
Apply to the Tennessee EMS Board for state paramedic licensure. Renew every two years with continuing education (16 hours at the paramedic level).

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

Training in Tennessee

Nashville State and Tennessee State University offer paramedic programs. Nashville Fire Department, Memphis Fire Department, Rural/Metro EMS (Tennessee), and AMR Tennessee are major paramedic employers. Tennessee's large rural areas create helicopter EMS and critical care transport opportunities.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

Baptist Health Sciences University — Associate
Chattanooga State Community College — Certificate / Associate
Cleveland State Community College — Certificate / Associate
Columbia State Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Paramedics Work in Tennessee

Real Tennessee EMS agencies that employ paramedics include:

Adamsville Rescue Squad — Adamsville
Crockett County Emergency Medical Services — Alamo
Blount County Rescue Squad — Alcoa
Professional Medical Transport - Blount County — Alcoa
Rural / Metro Corporation - Blount County — Alcoa
Arnold Engineering Development Center Ambulance Service - Dod — Arnold Afb

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Calm, service-oriented people who can handle urgent, unpredictable work.

Think twice if: You need routine hours, low stress, or low physical demand.

Why it's resilient: Emergency response depends on physical presence, judgment under pressure, patient care, and local systems.

First Steps

Start with EMT training, then compare paramedic programs and local EMS employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do paramedics make in Tennessee?

The median wage for paramedics in Tennessee is $57,690 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $41,410, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,190. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Paramedic in Tennessee?

Tennessee Paramedic License, overseen by the Tennessee Department of Health — Emergency Medical Services Board. Hold a current EMT certification and complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program (typically 1,000+ hours over 12–18 months, including didactic, clinical, and field internship hours).

Is being a Paramedic a good career in Tennessee?

Emergency response depends on physical presence, judgment under pressure, patient care, and local systems.

Which Tennessee metros pay paramedics the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Memphis leads at $66,830, followed by Nashville ($63,450), Clarksville ($60,330). 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 a Paramedic in Tennessee?

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

Is Paramedic a growing career in Tennessee?

Tennessee projects paramedics employment to change +7.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 190 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 29-2043. 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.