Emergency Medical Technician Salary
Emergency Medical Technicians earn a median $44,470 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
U.S. median
$44,470
$21.38 per hour
Range
$34,130 – $62,500
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
180,510
across the U.S.
▲7.6%
Pay trend: The median for emergency medical technicians in the U.S. rose from $41,340 (May 2024) to $44,470 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 5.2%.
What emergency medical technicians do
Assess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.8% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 13,800
Employment of emergency medical technicians is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 13,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Emergency Medical Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$37,912
per year · effective tax rate 14.7%
$3,159Monthly
$1,580Twice a month
$1,458Every 2 weeks
$18.23Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,156
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,757
- Medicare (1.45%)$645
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$37,912
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,130 | $16.41 | $29,603 |
| 25th percentile | $37,960 | $18.25 | $32,681 |
| Median (50th) | $44,470 | $21.38 | $37,912 |
| 75th percentile | $50,100 | $24.09 | $42,435 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,500 | $30.05 | $52,399 |
Best cities for emergency medical technicians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta, GA | $47,500 | $38,504 | $38,481 | 3,090 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $53,820 | $43,115 | $38,303 | 13,780 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $47,790 | $39,112 | $38,138 | 4,970 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $50,560 | $40,497 | $37,405 | 3,410 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $51,480 | $41,737 | $36,100 | 3,580 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $44,020 | $35,516 | $34,283 | 5,610 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $38,890 | $33,428 | $33,893 | 2,680 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $45,090 | $37,031 | $32,607 | 6,610 |
| 9 | Phoenix, AZ | $39,500 | $33,140 | $32,076 | 2,840 |
| 10 | Dallas, TX | $37,900 | $32,633 | $31,655 | 3,000 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $53,820
- San Francisco, CA — $51,480
- Boston, MA — $50,560
- Philadelphia, PA — $47,790
- Atlanta, GA — $47,500
- Los Angeles, CA — $45,090
- Chicago, IL — $44,020
- Phoenix, AZ — $39,500
- Houston, TX — $38,890
- Dallas, TX — $37,900
Emergency Medical Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66,410 | +8.3% | $52,023 | $51,140 – $84,620 | 560 |
| Alaska | $57,440 | +0.9% | $48,333 | $44,400 – $81,150 | 310 |
| New Jersey | $53,610 | +8.3% | $43,841 | $45,550 – $64,740 | 6,120 |
| Washington | $52,690 | +7.9% | $44,516 | $37,290 – $60,960 | 2,940 |
| Rhode Island | $51,290 | +3.6% | $42,085 | $39,360 – $61,160 | 430 |
| Connecticut | $50,640 | +6.5% | $41,515 | $40,160 – $59,610 | 2,190 |
| Massachusetts | $50,230 | +9.3% | $40,248 | $40,140 – $69,830 | 4,550 |
| Oregon | $49,270 | +2.5% | $38,287 | $37,600 – $63,430 | 1,970 |
| New York | $48,400 | +5.2% | $39,053 | $39,890 – $69,210 | 14,840 |
| Maryland | $48,100 | +1.5% | $38,907 | $39,960 – $85,290 | 3,400 |
| Minnesota | $48,090 | +5.3% | $39,066 | $31,340 – $59,220 | 3,160 |
| Wyoming | $47,070 | +13.9% | $40,001 | $30,480 – $53,930 | 400 |
| Delaware | $46,790 | +3.3% | $37,856 | $39,060 – $57,660 | 950 |
| New Hampshire | $46,790 | +3.6% | $39,776 | $37,320 – $59,670 | 1,010 |
| District of Columbia | $46,650 | +1.6% | $38,030 | $39,310 – $73,670 | 370 |
| California | $46,380 | +1.5% | $37,999 | $38,740 – $78,150 | 21,880 |
| Maine | $46,340 | +1.4% | $37,468 | $38,210 – $58,100 | 1,110 |
| Colorado | $45,750 | +4.1% | $37,636 | $38,370 – $58,320 | 3,060 |
| Vermont | $45,600 | +15.4% | $37,726 | $36,770 – $57,700 | 790 |
| Georgia | $45,550 | +16.1% | $37,038 | $33,910 – $52,600 | 6,260 |
| Virginia | $45,420 | +0.8% | $36,877 | $36,540 – $59,180 | 4,490 |
| North Carolina | $44,250 | +9.2% | $36,478 | $35,190 – $59,750 | 6,680 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,310 | +12.3% | $35,650 | $34,480 – $54,370 | 10,160 |
| Wisconsin | $43,060 | −0.6% | $35,665 | $33,550 – $60,910 | 3,930 |
| Indiana | $42,740 | +7.3% | $35,290 | $36,170 – $50,640 | 4,160 |
| Illinois | $42,260 | +3.6% | $34,189 | $36,420 – $135,490 | 7,840 |
| Missouri | $42,160 | +9.3% | $35,011 | $34,390 – $58,090 | 2,800 |
| Nebraska | $41,710 | +5.9% | $34,676 | $35,060 – $68,670 | 540 |
| Iowa | $40,660 | +3.6% | $33,957 | $35,600 – $60,080 | 1,510 |
| South Carolina | $40,370 | +4.4% | $33,352 | $31,590 – $49,210 | 4,010 |
| Tennessee | $40,330 | +7.2% | $34,585 | $29,720 – $59,370 | 3,860 |
| Ohio | $40,220 | +5.5% | $34,173 | $34,940 – $53,960 | 5,560 |
| Florida | $39,870 | −1.4% | $34,216 | $34,120 – $59,000 | 6,060 |
| Michigan | $39,870 | +2.5% | $32,772 | $35,360 – $49,620 | 4,230 |
| North Dakota | $39,670 | +5.3% | $34,055 | $31,890 – $54,100 | 760 |
| Arizona | $39,500 | +3.6% | $33,140 | $33,860 – $50,790 | 3,970 |
| Utah | $38,930 | +5.4% | $32,674 | $31,410 – $48,240 | 1,280 |
| Idaho | $38,840 | −1.5% | $32,438 | $27,180 – $51,140 | 780 |
| Alabama | $37,810 | +4.3% | $30,935 | $28,620 – $51,160 | 2,020 |
| Nevada | $37,560 | −3.6% | $32,359 | $29,060 – $59,000 | 1,530 |
| New Mexico | $37,550 | +1.9% | $31,704 | $32,370 – $55,500 | 1,260 |
| Texas | $37,260 | +0.7% | $32,118 | $30,320 – $52,160 | 12,770 |
| Kentucky | $36,800 | +2.1% | $30,578 | $29,800 – $49,950 | 2,770 |
| South Dakota | $36,800 | −6.9% | $31,749 | $31,130 – $48,460 | 600 |
| Mississippi | $36,630 | +1.8% | $30,879 | $26,760 – $48,290 | 1,390 |
| Arkansas | $36,230 | +14.3% | $30,091 | $28,370 – $49,910 | 1,120 |
| Montana | $36,140 | +3.6% | $30,277 | $27,280 – $46,310 | 860 |
| Louisiana | $35,870 | +5.5% | $30,312 | $27,390 – $46,460 | 2,450 |
| Kansas | $35,780 | +3.3% | $29,732 | $28,560 – $53,710 | 1,510 |
| West Virginia | $34,360 | −2.0% | $28,877 | $29,120 – $45,350 | 900 |
| Oklahoma | $34,170 | +5.4% | $28,643 | $27,840 – $45,630 | 2,410 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paramedic | $60,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.7% |
| Psychiatric Technician | $45,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +22.3% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $45,570 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +21.4% |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $47,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.2% |
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician | $47,380 | Associate's degree | +9.4% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,290 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.9% |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,140 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.8% |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,640 | Associate's degree | +2.7% |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a emergency medical technician make?
The national median salary for emergency medical technicians is $44,470 a year ($21.38 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,130 and the top 10% earn over $62,500. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays emergency medical technicians the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $66,410. After taxes and local prices, Atlanta, GA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many emergency medical technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 180,510 people work as emergency medical technicians nationwide.