EMTs are the first responders on scene for medical emergencies, providing basic life support during the most critical minutes. Here’s what EMTs actually earn — and how to move up to higher-paying roles.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for emergency medical technicians, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $34,130 | $16.41 |
| 25th | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| 50th (median) | $44,470 | $21.38 |
| 75th | $50,100 | $24.09 |
| 90th | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Average (mean) | $46,830 | $22.51 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Emergency Medical Technicians (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
EMT Salary by Employer Type
| Employer | Base Salary | With Overtime | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Department (Large City) | $50,000-$65,000 | $60,000-$80,000+ | Excellent (pension, health) |
| Fire Department (Suburban) | $42,000-$55,000 | $50,000-$65,000 | Good |
| Hospital-Based EMS | $38,000-$48,000 | $42,000-$55,000 | Good (hospital benefits) |
| County/Municipal Third Service | $36,000-$48,000 | $42,000-$55,000 | Good |
| Private Ambulance (AMR, etc.) | $32,000-$42,000 | $38,000-$50,000 | Basic |
| Industrial/Event Medical | $35,000-$50,000 | Varies | Limited |
| Transfer/Non-Emergency | $30,000-$38,000 | $35,000-$45,000 | Basic |
EMT Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $68,110 | $51,140 | $66,410 |
| 2 | Alaska | $58,800 | $44,400 | $57,440 |
| 3 | Illinois | $56,080 | $36,420 | $42,260 |
| 4 | Maryland | $55,790 | $39,960 | $48,100 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $55,280 | $45,550 | $53,610 |
| 6 | California | $52,900 | $38,740 | $46,380 |
| 7 | New York | $52,870 | $39,890 | $48,400 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $52,500 | $40,140 | $50,230 |
| 9 | Washington | $52,000 | $37,290 | $52,690 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $51,300 | $40,160 | $50,640 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $51,280 | $39,360 | $51,290 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $51,220 | $39,310 | $46,650 |
| 13 | Oregon | $50,040 | $37,600 | $49,270 |
| 14 | Delaware | $49,420 | $39,060 | $46,790 |
| 15 | Nebraska | $48,700 | $35,060 | $41,710 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $47,470 | $31,340 | $48,090 |
| 17 | Maine | $47,310 | $38,210 | $46,340 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $47,180 | $37,320 | $46,790 |
| 19 | Colorado | $46,830 | $38,370 | $45,750 |
| 20 | Virginia | $46,370 | $36,540 | $45,420 |
| 21 | North Carolina | $45,790 | $35,190 | $44,250 |
| 22 | Vermont | $45,650 | $36,770 | $45,600 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $45,170 | $33,550 | $43,060 |
| 24 | Wyoming | $45,090 | $30,480 | $47,070 |
| 25 | Iowa | $44,970 | $35,600 | $40,660 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $44,480 | $31,890 | $39,670 |
| 27 | Georgia | $44,240 | $33,910 | $45,550 |
| 28 | Indiana | $44,230 | $36,170 | $42,740 |
| 29 | Florida | $44,130 | $34,120 | $39,870 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $43,820 | $34,480 | $43,310 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $43,370 | $29,720 | $40,330 |
| 32 | Missouri | $43,330 | $34,390 | $42,160 |
| 33 | Nevada | $43,050 | $29,060 | $37,560 |
| 34 | Ohio | $42,930 | $34,940 | $40,220 |
| 35 | Arizona | $42,180 | $33,860 | $39,500 |
| 36 | Michigan | $42,180 | $35,360 | $39,870 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $42,160 | $32,370 | $37,550 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $41,940 | $31,590 | $40,370 |
| 39 | Utah | $40,470 | $31,410 | $38,930 |
| 40 | Texas | $40,190 | $30,320 | $37,260 |
| 41 | Idaho | $39,740 | $27,180 | $38,840 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $39,110 | $31,130 | $36,800 |
| 43 | Alabama | $39,100 | $28,620 | $37,810 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $38,990 | $29,800 | $36,800 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $38,230 | $28,370 | $36,230 |
| 46 | Kansas | $37,870 | $28,560 | $35,780 |
| 47 | Montana | $36,820 | $27,280 | $36,140 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $36,770 | $27,390 | $35,870 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $36,390 | $26,760 | $36,630 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $35,910 | $29,120 | $34,360 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $35,050 | $27,840 | $34,170 |
| — | National | $46,830 | $34,130 | $44,470 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Emergency Medical Technicians (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
EMT Salary with Overtime
Most EMS agencies offer overtime opportunities. The impact is significant at lower base salaries:
| Base Salary | With 8 hrs OT/week | With 16 hrs OT/week | Total Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| $32,000 | +$8,000 | +$16,000 | $40,000-$48,000 |
| $38,000 | +$9,500 | +$19,000 | $47,500-$57,000 |
| $45,000 | +$11,250 | +$22,500 | $56,250-$67,500 |
| $55,000 | +$13,750 | +$27,500 | $68,750-$82,500 |
Overtime is how many EMTs make a livable wage. Fire department EMTs on 24-hour shift schedules often earn built-in overtime.
EMT vs. Paramedic vs. AEMT
| Level | Training Hours | Key Skills |
|---|---|---|
| EMT-Basic | 120-150 | BLS, vitals, splinting, oxygen, CPR |
| AEMT (Advanced EMT) | 300-400 | Above + IV access, some medications |
| Paramedic | 1,200-1,800 | ALS, intubation, cardiac drugs, 12-lead |
The jump from EMT to paramedic adds $12,000+/year in median pay and dramatically expands your scope of practice.
EMT Career Path & Advancement
| Role | Salary Range | How to Get There |
|---|---|---|
| EMT-Basic (Private) | $30,000-$42,000 | EMT certification (3-6 months) |
| EMT (Fire Department) | $42,000-$60,000 | EMT + fire academy + hiring process |
| AEMT | $38,000-$50,000 | AEMT certification (additional 3-6 months) |
| Paramedic | $45,000-$70,000 | Paramedic program (1-2 years) |
| Fire Dept Paramedic | $55,000-$90,000+ | Paramedic + fire dept promotion |
| Flight Paramedic | $60,000-$80,000 | FP-C credential + 3-5 years ALS |
| EMS Supervisor | $60,000-$85,000 | 5+ years + promotion |
| → RN (Bridge Program) | $65,000-$90,000 | Paramedic-to-RN bridge (1-2 years) |
| → PA (with further education) | $105,000-$145,000 | Bachelor’s + PA school |
How to Maximize EMT Salary
| Strategy | Potential Increase |
|---|---|
| Get hired at a fire department | +$10,000-$25,000 over private |
| Work overtime/extra shifts | +$8,000-$25,000 |
| Advance to paramedic | +$12,000-$25,000 |
| Relocate to a high-paying state | +$10,000-$20,000 |
| Industrial/oil & gas EMT | +$5,000-$15,000 |
| Night/weekend shift differentials | +$2,000-$5,000 |
| Get additional certifications (PHTLS, ACLS) | More competitive for better jobs |
| Hospital ER tech (EMT credential) | $38,000-$48,000 (benefits) |
| Bridge to nursing (long-term) | +$25,000-$50,000 |
EMT Income vs. Education Cost
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| EMT course cost | $1,000-$3,000 |
| NREMT exam fee | $80 |
| Total investment | $1,100-$3,100 |
| Starting salary | $30,000-$42,000 |
| Time to certification | 3-6 months |
| Debt | Minimal to none |
Lowest education cost of any healthcare career. Many fire departments and agencies pay for your EMT training.
Job Market & Outlook
| Factor | Status |
|---|---|
| Job growth (2025-2035) | 6% |
| Total employed | ~265,000 (EMTs + paramedics) |
| Annual openings | ~18,000 |
| Turnover rate | Very high (30-40% in private EMS) |
| Rural volunteer decline | Creating more paid positions |
| Pay advocacy | Growing — some states raising minimum EMS wages |
| Community health role | Expanding in some states |
Work-Life Balance
| Schedule | Details | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 24/48 (fire dept) | 24 hrs on, 48 hrs off | Good (10 shifts/month) |
| 12-hour shifts (private) | Day or night, rotating | Moderate |
| 8-hour shifts (hospital) | Day/evening/night | Good |
| Transfer services | Flexible, lower acuity | Good (but lower pay) |
High burnout risk. EMTs face PTSD, sleep disruption, and low pay relative to stress. Most EMTs advance to paramedic or transition to fire/nursing within 3-5 years.
Related: Paramedic Salary | Firefighter Salary | Medical Assistant Salary
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy