EMT Salary

Hendersonville vs Knoxville: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Hendersonville, TN
$40,272
$19.37/hr
Knoxville, TN
$40,561
$19.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHendersonville, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$40,272$40,561
Hourly Rate$19.37$19.50
Entry Level (P10)$31,452$30,751
25th Percentile$33,601$34,402
75th Percentile$45,284$48,624
Top Earner (P90)$56,159$50,275
Total Employed13560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hendersonville ($40,272) and Knoxville ($40,561) emergency medical technician salaries.HendersonvilleKnoxvilleMedian Salary$40,272$40,561Entry Level (P10)$31,452$30,751Top Earner (P90)$56,159$50,275US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Hendersonville and Knoxville is $289 (0.72%). Knoxville's median is -13.81% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hendersonville spans $24,707,Knoxville spans $19,524. Hendersonville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hendersonville
P10 (Entry)$31,452
P25$33,601
Median$40,272
P75$45,284
P90 (Top)$56,159
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, Hendersonville ($43,869 effective) pays 0.12% more than Knoxville ($43,817 effective).

Hendersonville
Nominal: $40,272
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $43,869
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 Hendersonville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($56,159)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,869)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,561/year)
  • 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 Hendersonville grew 25.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 5.8% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Hendersonville, TN

+25.5%

$30,318 (2024) → $38,057 (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: Hendersonville or Knoxville?

Knoxville has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $40,561/year, compared to Hendersonville at $40,272/year — a difference of $289 (0.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hendersonville and Knoxville?

Hendersonville emergency medical technicians earn $19.37/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $19.50/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hendersonville and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hendersonville = $43,869, Knoxville = $43,817), job availability (13 vs 560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $31,452 in Hendersonville and $30,751 in Knoxville. The Hendersonville 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