Krista Wenz By: Krista Wenz
EMT Salaries

How much do emergency medical technicians (EMTs) make? This is a common question for many people thinking about a career path as an EMT. We break down the EMT salary below and do it on a state-by-state basis as states compensate their EMTs differently.

In addition to providing you with some general EMT salary information, we have also broken down the EMT hourly pay by state to better show how much an EMT makes per hour.

The primary factor determining EMT salaries and hourly pay is the location in which you will be employed. The EMT hourly pay varies greatly on a state-by-state basis.

Summary: Learn about EMT salaries by checking out the numbers breakdown on a state-by-state basis below. You can practice for your exam with our EMT practice test.

To answer this question, we need to look at the EMT salary at a national level and then at a state level. EMT hourly pay ranges significantly from state to state. 

An EMT in California ends up making a lot more money than an EMT in Nebraska due to many factors like cost of living and how well EMTs are compensated in different states.

Learn how to become an EMT with our complete guide.

How Much EMTs Make Per Hour – Nationally

EMT salaries vary and are contingent upon one's exact position as an EMT, experience, and education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) denotes that the median yearly pay for all EMTs in 2020 was about $36,650. This annual salary is equivalent to an EMT hourly pay of $17.62/hour as the national average.

National Averages Hourly Rate Annual Salary
Median Salary $17.62 $36,650
90th Percentile $29.87 $62,150

Source: BLS


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EMT Salary - State-By-State

Let’s break down the EMT salary by state next. You will see that the emergency medical technician salary varies depending on which state you are looking at. Review the table below to see how much an EMT makes per hour.

Location Employment Hourly Mean Wage Annual Mean Wage
Alabama 3,750 $14.55 $30,260
Alaska 500 $22.97 $47,780
Arizona 3,620 $18.40 $38,260
Arkansas 2,150 $15.29 $31,800
California 21,430 $18.92 $39,350
Colorado 3,700 $20.35 $42,320
Connecticut 3,450 $22.54 $46,890
Delaware 1,270 $19.58 $40,730
District of Columbia 1,660 $27.53 $57,270
Florida 11,130 $17.21 $35,790
Georgia 9,590 $16.32 $33,950
Hawaii 730 $26.14 $54,370
Idaho 1,020 $18.25 $37,960
Illinois 10,790 $20.16 $41,940
Indiana 6,380 $16.37 $34,040
Iowa 2,540 $17.19 $35,760
Kansas 2,640 $14.67 $30,520
Kentucky 4,210 $15.11 $31,430
Louisiana 3,810 $17.75 $36,930
Maine 1,930 $16.43 $34,170
Maryland 5,090 $23.79 $49,490
Massachusetts 6,380 $19.98 $41,570
Michigan 7,100 $16.21 $33,720
Minnesota 5,850 $20.41 $42,460
Mississippi 2,410 $16.01 $33,310
Missouri 6,950 $16.62 $34,560
Montana 760 $15.88 $33,020
Nebraska 850 $15.93 $33,130
Nevada 1,850 $17.42 $36,240
New Hampshire 1,230 $18.46 $38,390
New Jersey 8,230 $18.01 $37,460
New Mexico 1,480 $17.14 $35,660
New York 17,520 $21.21 $44,120
North Carolina 10,760 $17.40 $36,200
North Dakota 830 $15.71 $32,680
Ohio 10,180 $15.48 $32,200
Oklahoma 3,350 $15.87 $33,020
Oregon 2,470 $20.42 $42,470
Pennsylvania 12,730 $16.34 $33,980
Puerto Rico 1,880 $10.59 $22,030
Rhode Island 570 $19.26 $40,070
South Carolina 5,240 $16.62 $34,570
South Dakota 960 $15.56 $32,360
Tennessee 6,810 $17.60 $36,600
Texas 19,450 $17.61 $36,620
Utah 2,030 $16.28 $33,870
Vermont - $16.48 $34,290
Virginia 6,180 $16.98 $35,310
Washington 3,360 $32.50 $67,600
West Virginia 2,330 $14.76 $30,690
Wisconsin 6,460 $16.72 $34,780
Wyoming 770 $16.41 $34,120

Source: BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

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The aging population demographic is largely driving the growth in job demand. EMT employment is expected to grow approximately 15% through the year 2026. Demand for EMTs and paramedics increases as the aging population has more medical emergencies. 

In addition, EMTs must spend more time with patients due to dramatic overcrowding in emergency department facilities nationwide. Also, as hospitals become more specialized in their services, the demand for patient transport grows.  

Since patients are transferred by ambulance, a trained EMT or paramedic must be utilized to monitor the patient's condition en route.

Most job opportunities for EMTs are expected to be in the private ambulance services. Local government-based EMT jobs, including fire, police, and third-service rescue squad departments are expected to be the most competitive EMT positions to obtain because of their better salaries and benefits. 

As with most jobs, EMTs can improve their salaries through additional education and attaining higher certification levels, including the various NREMT certifications such as advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) and paramedic.