Do paramedics need a license in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee requires state-level licensing or registration for paramedics, administered by the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a Paramedic in Tennessee (2026)

Q: How long does paramedic training take in Tennessee?

Most people become a Paramedic in Tennessee through a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure.

Q: How much do paramedics earn in Tennessee?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), paramedics in Tennessee earned a median annual wage of approximately $57,690. Employment concentration in Tennessee is about 1.75 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for paramedics in Tennessee?

Tennessee currently employs approximately 3,710 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Tennessee paramedics earn a median annual wage of $57,690 ($27.74/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 3,710 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -4.8% below the national median of $60,600 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $57,690 ($27.74/hr)
25th percentile: $48,510 per year
75th percentile: $76,570 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $80,190 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $41,410 per year
Workers employed in Tennessee: 3,710
Versus national median: -4.8% below the U.S. median of $60,600
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.75 - this occupation is more concentrated in Tennessee than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Tennessee employs about 3,710 paramedics earning a median $57,690 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Paramedic here means completing a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure, then applying through Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards.

Tennessee employs approximately 3,710 paramedics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,690 ¹. The state’s concentration of paramedic jobs is 1.75x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, paramedic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 4,900 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Paramedic in Tennessee, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: state-approved paramedic program after EMT (find programs)
Typical timeline: a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure
Licensing authority: Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards
Licensing authority: Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards
Exam: NREMT (most states)
Median wage (Tennessee): $57,690 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paramedic in Tennessee

How to become a Paramedic in Tennessee? Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure. Apply through Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards. See the NREMT ³ for the national exam.

How long does it take? Most people finish a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program after EMT, the NREMT paramedic exam, and state paramedic licensure. Confirm current hour totals with the training program and Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards.

Do I need a license in Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee certifies paramedics through its EMS office after a state-approved course and, in most states, the NREMT exam. See the licensing section below.

What do paramedics earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for paramedics in Tennessee is $57,690 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $41,410 and experienced professionals can earn $80,190 or more ¹.

How to Become a Paramedic in Tennessee

Hold an EMT credential and meet program entry rules. Paramedic programs in Tennessee typically require a current EMT certification, a high school diploma or GED, and CPR. Confirm age, driving, and background-check rules with the program.
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program. Enroll in a state-approved, CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program in Tennessee. These programs are longer than EMT training and combine classroom work with clinical and field internships. Confirm current length with the program. This is not a registered apprenticeship path.
Pass the NREMT paramedic exam. Pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians paramedic exam. See the NREMT ³ for current cognitive and psychomotor rules.
Apply for Tennessee paramedic licensure. Apply through Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards. Some states also require a local EMS agency affiliation. Confirm current fees and reciprocity before you practice.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Paramedic License Requirements in Tennessee

The Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards oversees paramedic licensure in Tennessee. Most candidates complete a CAAHEP-accredited program after EMT and take the NREMT paramedic exam ³.

Typical paramedic path

Hold a current EMT certification.
Complete a CAAHEP-accredited paramedic program (longer than EMT; confirm length with the school).
Pass the NREMT paramedic exam.
Apply for Tennessee paramedic licensure.

Hour totals, background checks, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Tennessee EMS office before you enroll.

Paramedic Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee

Paramedics Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), paramedics wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin	1,310	$63,450	$65,400	$42,920	$80,570
Memphis	810	$66,830	$65,260	$47,320	$77,880
Knoxville	380	$51,130	$55,160	$46,690	$72,500
Chattanooga	270	$53,220	$54,750	$48,900	$59,360
Kingsport-Bristol	160	$47,060	$48,180	$31,730	$62,920
Clarksville	130	$60,330	$59,290	$40,360	$76,810
Jackson	100	$51,550	$53,280	$45,530	$61,510
Johnson City	100	$49,250	$47,760	$37,430	$57,260

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for paramedics in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 3,710 paramedics ¹. Nationally, paramedic employment is projected to grow 5.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a paramedic in Tennessee with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Tennessee.

How much do paramedics earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paramedics in Tennessee is $57,690, which is $720 below the national median of $58,410 according to BLS data ¹.

In Tennessee

Best Trade Schools in Tennessee (2026)

Explore More Trades in Tennessee

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NREMT - National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians: https://www.nremt.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)