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Hourly Wage for EMT Salary in the United States

How much does an EMT make hourly?

As of September 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for an EMT in the United States is $19, which translates to an annual salary of about $40,030.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $23 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $17 to $21 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $15 per hour
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence EMT Salaries

An EMT's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do EMT Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract EMTs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $44,320.
  • California: $44,160.
  • Massachusetts: $43,570.

Top Paying Cities for EMTs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $50,490
  • San Francisco: $49,940
  • Oakland: $48,890

What Skills Can Increase an EMT's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 7.49% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 2.59% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
  • Cardiac (Mentioned in 1.81% Job Postings): Cardiac means relating to the heart. The adjective cardiac is most often used in a medical context: a doctor who operates on people's hearts is a cardiac surgeon and an irregular heart beat is called "cardiac arrhythmia."
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 7.49%
Installation 2.59%
Cardiac 1.81%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an EMT's salary.

  • Repairing: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Repairing $44,033
10%
Analysis $43,232
8%
Troubleshooting $43,232
8%
Get Latest Data

EMT Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

EMT salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $42,487. While startup companies pay approximate $36,182.

EMT Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $36,182
Growth Stage 51~500 $38,204
Established 501~5000 $41,089
Enterprise 5000+ $42,487

EMT Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For EMT roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, EMT positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view EMT as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an EMT

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$48,036$23.020%

How Education impacts an EMT's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many EMTs enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an EMT with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $36,039 and $38,361).

EMT Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for EMT
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 60.6%
Associates 19.6%
Bachelors 16.7%
Masters 1.5%
Doctorate 0.6%
View as Graph

EMT Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an EMT's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$35,340
Average $40,030/year
$43,660
$2,945
Average $3,336/month
$3,638
$680
Average $770/week
$840
$17
Average $19/hour
$21
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $43,660 $3,638 $840 $21
Average $40,030 $3,336 $770 $19
25th Percentile $35,340 $2,945 $680 $17

Most common benefits for EMT

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for EMT

Here are companies hiring for EMT and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about EMT

1. What industry pays the highest salary for EMT?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for EMT roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Is being an EMT worth the money?

Being an EMT can be worth it financially, with salaries ranging from $34,200 to $43,200, and a mid-salary of $38,220. In addition to the salary, EMTs often receive benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, making it a stable career choice that can support a good standard of living.

3. How risky is being an EMT?

Being an EMT involves significant risks, including high rates of injuries and fatalities. Hazards include lifting patients, exposure to illnesses, and working in emergency vehicles. Despite these challenges, EMTs earn a salary ranging from $34,200 to $43,200, with a median salary of $38,220, reflecting the demanding nature of the job.

4. How to go from EMT to paramedic?

To transition from EMT to paramedic, follow these steps: First, complete your EMT training, earning a salary ranging from $34,200 to $43,200. Next, gain sufficient work experience to qualify for paramedic school. Then, finish your paramedic training, including an externship, and finally, pass the paramedic exam to advance your career.

5. How much is an EMT paid in America?

An EMT in America typically earns between $34,200 and $43,200 annually, with a mid-salary of around $38,220. These figures reflect the range of salaries based on experience and location, providing a clearer picture of EMT compensation compared to broader estimates.

6. Can you make 6 figures as a paramedic?

While some paramedics may earn higher salaries depending on their location, the salary data indicates that EMTs typically earn between $34,200 and $43,200 annually. This means that reaching a six-figure salary as a paramedic is unlikely, as most fall within this range, with the average being around $38,220.

7. What is a paramedic vs. EMT?

Paramedics assess patients' conditions and provide advanced life support during transport to hospitals. They undergo more extensive training than EMTs, allowing them to perform advanced procedures. EMTs typically earn between $34,200 and $43,200 annually, with a median salary of $38,220, reflecting their essential role in emergency medical services.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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