Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Kingsport, TN: $18.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Kingsport, TN runs $18.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,815 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Kingsport's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.4, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,296 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Kingsport, Tennessee, the emergency medical technician (EMT) hourly pay for 2026 is projected to be $18.67, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $22.62. This disparity can have significant implications for part-time workers or those seeking per-diem shifts in various environments, including hospital emergency departments, fire department medical bays, and event medical tents. For example, with an hourly rate that spans from $14.28 at entry-level positions up to $24.93 for the highest earners, EMTs in Kingsport may find that their compensation does not reflect the demanding nature of their work. These official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data emphasize the challenges local EMTs face in a market where many are juggling multiple roles or shifts to stay financially afloat.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.28 | $114.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.96 | $127.66 |
| Median (P50) | $18.67 | $149.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.55 | $180.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.93 | $199.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kingsport
Based on $18.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.67/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kingsport, TN can expect to earn approximately $38,827 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,400. With a cost-of-living index of 86.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kingsport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kingsport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $746.67 | $3,236 | $38,827 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $448.00 | $1,941 | $23,296 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $298.67 | $1,294 | $15,531 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Kingsport) | $18.67 |
| Paramedic (National Avg) | $27.18 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.62 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $26.89 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.25 |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $38,815 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.52% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 6.40% below the Tennessee state average of $41,469.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.67/hr = $23,296/year (purchasing power: $26,948).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,827/year (purchasing power: $44,914).
CoL index: 86.447 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$13.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.67/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+41.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Kingsport (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Kingsport grew 26.3% from $13.97/hr (2021) to $17.64/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.75/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Emergency Medical Technician in Kingsport
Focusing on part-time opportunities, a 24-hour workweek for an emergency medical technician in Kingsport could yield approximately $24,500 annually, significantly less than what a full-time EMT would earn. Many per-diem emergency medical technicians can expect to bill between $20 and $32 per hour when working for private agencies, while specialized positions like oil-field medics can command much higher rates, often between $40 and $70 per hour, depending on the assignment's location and requirements. Variability in hourly rates exists depending on the employer type; for example, municipal fire department EMT roles often come with greater benefits and can be twice as lucrative compared to private ambulance services. As some EMTs choose to accept lower hourly pay for access to health insurance and job stability, others may opt for higher hourly wages without benefits. Negotiation tactics such as demonstrating relevant certifications or specialized skills can help enhance one's position when discussing hourly pay in Kingsport's competitive environment.
More salary data for Kingsport, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for emergency medical technicians in Kingsport. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
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