EMT Salary

Franklin vs Knoxville: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Franklin, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Franklin, TN
$50,171
$24.12/hr
Knoxville, TN
$40,561
$19.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFranklin, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$50,171$40,561
Hourly Rate$24.12$19.50
Entry Level (P10)$39,729$30,751
25th Percentile$43,368$34,402
75th Percentile$56,902$48,624
Top Earner (P90)$70,517$50,275
Total Employed18560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Franklin ($50,171) and Knoxville ($40,561) emergency medical technician salaries.FranklinKnoxvilleMedian Salary$50,171$40,561Entry Level (P10)$39,729$30,751Top Earner (P90)$70,517$50,275US Median $47,058

Verdict

Franklin, TN offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Knoxville.

The salary gap between Franklin and Knoxville is $9,610 (23.69%). Franklin's median is +6.62% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Franklin spans $30,788,Knoxville spans $19,524. Franklin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Franklin
P10 (Entry)$39,729
P25$43,368
Median$50,171
P75$56,902
P90 (Top)$70,517
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$30,751
P25$34,402
Median$40,561
P75$48,624
P90 (Top)$50,275

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Franklin ($54,653 effective) pays 24.73% more than Knoxville ($43,817 effective).

Franklin
Nominal: $50,171
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $54,653
Knoxville
Nominal: $40,561
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $43,817

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Franklin if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,171/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,517)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,653)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Franklin grew 55.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.8% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Franklin, TN

+55.3%

$30,528 (2024) → $47,412 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+5.8%

$36,230 (2021) → $38,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Franklin or Knoxville?

Franklin has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $50,171/year, compared to Knoxville at $40,561/year — a difference of $9,610 (23.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Franklin and Knoxville?

Franklin emergency medical technicians earn $24.12/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $19.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Franklin to Knoxville as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Franklin and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Franklin = $54,653, Knoxville = $43,817), job availability (18 vs 560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Franklin vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $39,729 in Franklin and $30,751 in Knoxville. The Franklin area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov