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Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians Salary in Tennessee: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians salary really buy you in Tennessee?

Tennessee is 8.2% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$35,740
Median annual (2025)
+8.9%
Real Purchasing Power
$38,932
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.8)

Tennessee Cost of Living Index

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians earning $35,740 in Tennessee has the equivalent purchasing power of $38,932 in an average-cost US state.

TN: 91.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $30,910 $33,671 +$2,761
25th Percentile (P25) $33,280 $36,252 +$2,972
Median (P50) $35,740 $38,932 +$3,192
75th Percentile (P75) $45,960 $50,065 +$4,105
90th Percentile (P90) $52,850 $57,570 +$4,720
Key Insight

A Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians in Tennessee earns $35,740 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $38,932 in an average-cost state. This makes Tennessee one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Tennessee Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.8

Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.2% less than the national average. For a Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+8.9%

After applying Tennessee's RPP, the $35,740 median salary translates to $38,932 in real terms — a 8.9% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Tennessee

#8 / 41

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians, Tennessee places #8 of 41 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians (After Cost of Living)

Where does Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$69,295
RPP 106.4
$42,491
RPP 88.7
3. Iowa
$40,825
RPP 88.4
$40,574
RPP 92.3
5. Montana
$39,922
RPP 90.3
6. Utah
$39,851
RPP 94.5
$38,997
RPP 89.8
$38,932
RPP 91.8
9. Ohio
$38,863
RPP 91.5
10. Oregon
$38,367
RPP 106.6

Tennessee ranks #8 out of 41 states for Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians take-home pay in Tennessee after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians in Tennessee after cost of living?

A Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians in Tennessee earns a median salary of $35,740 per year. After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $38,932 — a +8.9% difference.

Is Tennessee expensive to live in?

Tennessee's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Tennessee is 91.8 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians in Tennessee: $35,740 x (100 / 91.8) = $38,932. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians in Tennessee financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians in Tennessee enjoys 8.9% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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