Emergency Medical Technician Salary in 2026
Respond to emergency calls, provide basic life support, and transport patients.
Median Salary
$44,470
$3,706/mo
Entry Level
$35,100
starting pay
Senior Level
$56,200
experienced
Job Growth
+7%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Emergency Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2042) at a national median of $44,470 per year (mean $46,830), or $21.38 per hour, with 180,510 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Emergency Medical Technician Overview
Respond to emergency calls, provide basic life support, and transport patients.
Education
Certificate
Experience
0-1 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
181K
5-Year Growth
+8%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$21.38/hr
Monthly Pay
$3,706
Emergency Medical Technician Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Emergency Medical Technician salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Emergency Medical Technician Salary
$49,000
$4,083/month · $1,885/biweekly · $23.56/hr
Emergency Medical Technician Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Emergency Medical Technician field.
Entry-level Emergency Medical Technicians earn around $35,100, while the top 10% earn $62,050 or more.
Top Paying States for Emergency Medical Technicians
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $52,000 | +$7,530 |
| New York | $51,000 | +$6,530 |
| Illinois | $46,000 | +$1,530 |
| Texas | $44,000 | $-470 |
| Florida | $44,000 | $-470 |
Top Paying Cities for Emergency Medical Technicians
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $52,000 | +$7,530 |
| Los Angeles | $50,000 | +$5,530 |
| Chicago | $47,000 | +$2,530 |
| Philadelphia | $45,000 | +$530 |
| Houston | $44,000 | $-470 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Emergency Medical Technician Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Emergency Medical Technician from entry level to expert.
$35,100
0-2 years
$46,000
3-7 years
$56,200
8-14 years
$67,900
15+ years
Related Healthcare Jobs
Home Health Aide
Registered Nurse
Occupational Health Nurse
Medical Assistant
Hospital Administrator
Substance Abuse Counselor
Pharmacy Technician
Dental Assistant
Emergency Medical Technician Salary FAQ
How much does a Emergency Medical Technician make in 2026?
The median salary for a Emergency Medical Technician in the United States is $44,470 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Emergency Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2042); the mean is $46,830. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $35,100, senior professionals around $56,200, and top earners at $67,900 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Emergency Medical Technician?
A Emergency Medical Technician typically requires a Certificate with 0-1 years of experience. Key skills include Emergency Response, Patient Assessment, CPR. Relevant certifications such as NREMT Certification or State License can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Emergency Medical Technicians?
The job market for Emergency Medical Technicians is projected to grow by 7% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 181K Emergency Medical Technician positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 8%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Emergency Medical Technicians the most?
The highest-paying states for Emergency Medical Technicians include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $52,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Emergency Medical Technician salary?
To increase your Emergency Medical Technician salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Emergency Response and Patient Assessment. Pursue certifications such as NREMT Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 0-1 years of experience, you can progress from $35,100 to $56,200 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Emergency Medical Technician Salary
How we calculate Emergency Medical Technician salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Emergency Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2042), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $44,470, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Emergency Medical Technicians; BLS mean $46,830; BLS hourly median $21.38.
- Entry-level ($35,100) and senior-level ($56,200) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +7% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 180,510 Emergency Medical Technicians jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 8% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Certificate, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $44,470; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Emergency Medical Technician compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Emergency Medical Technician job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Emergency Medical Technician salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Emergency Response, Patient Assessment, CPR), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
Explore More Job Salaries
Compare salary data for hundreds of jobs across all industries. Find out what you should be earning.