Emergency Medical Technician Salary in 2026

    SOC: 29-2042.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $41,340
    per year
    Salary Range
    $31K – $61K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    177,980
    employed
    Job Growth
    +5.1%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Emergency Medical Technicians Make?

    Emergency Medical Technicians earn a median annual salary of $41,340 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $31,410 at the 10th percentile to $60,780 at the 90th percentile — a range of $29,370. The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $61,310.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$31,410
    25th percentile$36,730
    Median (50th)$41,340
    75th percentile$48,160
    90th percentile$60,780
    10th: $31,410Median: $41,34090th: $60,780
    Section 02

    Emergency Medical Technician Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Hawaiitop$61,310
    Alaska$56,900
    New Jersey$49,500
    Rhode Island$49,500
    Washington$48,850
    Oregon$48,070
    Connecticut$47,550
    Maryland$47,390
    New York$46,000
    Massachusetts$45,970
    District of Columbia$45,920
    Maine$45,720
    Minnesota$45,690
    California$45,680
    Delaware$45,310
    New Hampshire$45,170
    Virginia$45,060
    Colorado$43,950
    Wisconsin$43,340
    Wyoming$41,330
    Illinois$40,780
    North Carolina$40,530
    Florida$40,420
    Indiana$39,850
    South Dakota$39,520
    Vermont$39,520
    Idaho$39,430
    Nebraska$39,370
    Iowa$39,260
    Georgia$39,250
    Nevada$38,980
    Michigan$38,890
    South Carolina$38,670
    Missouri$38,580
    Pennsylvania$38,580
    Ohio$38,140
    Arizona$38,110
    North Dakota$37,670
    Tennessee$37,630
    Texas$37,000
    Utah$36,940
    New Mexico$36,850
    Alabama$36,260
    Kentucky$36,050
    Mississippi$35,980
    West Virginia$35,060
    Montana$34,900
    Kansas$34,650
    Louisiana$33,990
    Oklahoma$32,420
    Arkansas$31,710
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Emergency Medical Technicians

    Urban Honolulu, HI
    Highest paying
    $63,880
    top metro salary
    Hawaii
    $61,310
    $-2,570 vs highest
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
    $58,250
    $-5,630 vs highest
    Alaska
    $56,900
    $-6,980 vs highest
    Anchorage, AK
    $52,140
    $-11,740 vs highest
    Naples-Marco Island, FL
    $51,300
    $-12,580 vs highest
    Vineland, NJ
    $51,040
    $-12,840 vs highest
    New Haven, CT
    $50,750
    $-13,130 vs highest
    Section 04

    Emergency Medical Technician Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$31,410 – $36,730
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$41,340
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$48,160
    Senior (15+ yrs)$60,780+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as an Emergency Medical Technician

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Emergency Medical Technicians in Urban Honolulu, HI earn $63,880 — $22,540 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($48,160) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Emergency Medical Technician Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Emergency Medical Technicianthis career$41,340
    Paramedics$58,410
    Physician Assistant$133,260
    Anesthesiologist Assistant$133,260
    Respiratory Therapist$80,450

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 29-2042.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.