Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Oak Ridge, TN: $40,678 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Oak Ridge, TN earns a median $40,678/year (≈ $19.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Oak Ridge's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $44,312 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated emergency medical technician salary in Oak Ridge, TN, is projected to be $40,678 annually, considerably lower than the national median of $47,058. This salary indicates a notable pay gap, especially when considering the substantial differences between municipal fire department EMTs and those working for private ambulance companies. Emergency medical technicians in Oak Ridge can expect salaries ranging from $31,259 at the lower end to $57,416 at the upper end, reflecting the diverse employment scenarios and funding structures faced by EMTs in the region. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, emphasizing that the local salary landscape may differ significantly from broader national trends.
About the Oak Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,259 | $15.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,389 | $16.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,678 | $19.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,980 | $21.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,416 | $27.61 |
Median Salary Position
13.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Ridge
In Oak Ridge, TN, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,157 (2026 est.). At $40,678, the local median is 13.56% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Ridge Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Oak Ridge median: $40,678/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $41,466 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -13.56% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $40,678 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.56% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $41,466.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Ridge has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Ridge, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $40,678 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,312 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$30,661
2025 BLS Actual
$38,441
2026 Current Est.
$40,678
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Oak Ridge (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,661 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,707 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,652 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,623 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,441 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,678 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,046 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Ridge metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $30,661 (2021) to $38,441 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,046 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,385 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Ridge 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,259 – $34,389 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,389 – $40,678 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,678 – $44,980 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,980 – $57,416 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Oak Ridge
The job market for emergency medical technicians in Oak Ridge is relatively small, with only six individuals currently employed in this role. The cost of living in the area sits at an index of 91.8, suggesting that although salaries may appear modest, the actual purchasing power can stretch further due to lower living costs. Within Oak Ridge, municipal fire departments typically offer higher compensation than private ambulance services, as these departments benefit from union contracts enabling better pay structures for cross-trained firefighter-EMTs. Conversely, private ambulance companies often lag, exacerbated by a slow wage recovery. To optimize pay in this market, prospective EMTs should consider seeking positions with municipal departments or exploring opportunities in specialized sectors, such as industrial or oil-field medical services, where hourly rates can exceed $50. Further education and progression pathways, like transitioning from EMT to paramedic, can also enhance earning potential, allowing individuals to maximize their professional investment in the field.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Oak Ridge?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $38,441 for emergency medical techniciansin the Oak Ridge metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oak Ridge is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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