EMT Salary

Knoxville vs Lebanon: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Knoxville, TN
$40,561
$19.50/hr
Lebanon, TN
$40,681
$19.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNLebanon, TN
Median Salary$40,561$40,681
Hourly Rate$19.50$19.56
Entry Level (P10)$30,751$31,439
25th Percentile$34,402$34,397
75th Percentile$48,624$44,987
Top Earner (P90)$50,275$54,921
Total Employed56010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($40,561) and Lebanon ($40,681) emergency medical technician salaries.KnoxvilleLebanonMedian Salary$40,561$40,681Entry Level (P10)$30,751$31,439Top Earner (P90)$50,275$54,921US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Knoxville and Lebanon is $120 (0.30%). Lebanon's median is -13.55% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $19,524,Lebanon spans $23,482. Lebanon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$30,751
P25$34,402
Median$40,561
P75$48,624
P90 (Top)$50,275
Lebanon
P10 (Entry)$31,439
P25$34,397
Median$40,681
P75$44,987
P90 (Top)$54,921

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lebanon ($44,315 effective) pays 1.14% more than Knoxville ($43,817 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $40,561
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $43,817
Lebanon
Nominal: $40,681
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $44,315

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

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

Choose Lebanon if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,681/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($54,921)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,315)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Knoxville grew 5.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 25.5% growth in Lebanon over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+5.8%

$36,230 (2021) → $38,330 (2025)

Lebanon, TN

+25.5%

$30,626 (2024) → $38,444 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lebanon has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $40,681/year, compared to Knoxville at $40,561/year — a difference of $120 (0.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Lebanon?

Knoxville emergency medical technicians earn $19.50/hr while Lebanon hygienists earn $19.56/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Lebanon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $43,817, Lebanon = $44,315), job availability (560 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $30,751 in Knoxville and $31,439 in Lebanon. The Lebanon 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