How Much Do EMTs Make? Salary by State (2026)
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are the first responders who provide critical care in emergencies. If you’re considering a career as an EMT or looking to understand where the best-paying opportunities are, this guide breaks down EMT earnings using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, compares salaries across all 50 states, and evaluates the return on your certification investment.
Important: Salary data below comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Our database tracks licensing data. For the most current salary figures, visit bls.gov directly.
National Salary Overview
The national median annual wage for EMTs and paramedics is $41,340. The middle 50% earn between $51,590 and $84,910. Note that BLS groups EMTs and paramedics together — paramedics, who require significantly more training, generally earn more than EMT-Basic certified workers.
National Median
$41,340
25th Percentile
$51,590
75th Percentile
$84,910
EMT Salary by State
EMT pay varies significantly by state, influenced by funding models for emergency services, cost of living, and whether EMS is fire-department-based or a separate service. The table below shows every state with available BLS data, sorted by median pay.
| State | Median Salary | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HI | $61,310 | $51,590 | $84,910 | 550 |
| AK | $56,900 | $49,080 | $64,780 | 290 |
| NJ | $49,500 | $45,900 | $56,760 | 5,630 |
| RI | $49,500 | $42,890 | $52,650 | 520 |
| WA | $48,850 | $39,810 | $54,060 | 3,280 |
| OR | $48,070 | $40,180 | $54,550 | 1,760 |
| CT | $47,550 | $42,200 | $55,160 | 2,100 |
| MD | $47,390 | $42,480 | $64,230 | 2,970 |
| NY | $46,000 | $40,180 | $56,510 | 14,350 |
| MA | $45,970 | $39,520 | $51,810 | 4,270 |
| DC | $45,920 | $38,740 | $58,250 | 410 |
| ME | $45,720 | $39,020 | $47,860 | 1,010 |
| MN | $45,690 | $40,560 | $49,160 | 2,840 |
| CA | $45,680 | $40,290 | $58,410 | 19,020 |
| DE | $45,310 | $41,400 | $49,080 | 970 |
| NH | $45,170 | $38,610 | $48,780 | 1,070 |
| VA | $45,060 | $37,900 | $48,630 | 3,780 |
| CO | $43,950 | $39,000 | $48,160 | 3,420 |
| WI | $43,340 | $36,810 | $48,810 | 4,000 |
| WY | $41,330 | $36,850 | $50,450 | 450 |
| IL | $40,780 | $37,680 | $50,380 | 8,480 |
| NC | $40,530 | $35,650 | $48,180 | 7,540 |
| FL | $40,420 | $36,850 | $46,350 | 6,770 |
| IN | $39,850 | $37,050 | $46,380 | 3,760 |
| SD | $39,520 | $35,170 | $45,970 | 710 |
| VT | $39,520 | $38,110 | $45,110 | 880 |
| ID | $39,430 | $31,690 | $46,030 | 700 |
| NE | $39,370 | $35,370 | $46,980 | 540 |
| IA | $39,260 | $37,030 | $47,760 | 1,210 |
| GA | $39,250 | $35,290 | $45,930 | 5,740 |
| NV | $38,980 | $35,570 | $47,100 | 1,390 |
| MI | $38,890 | $37,030 | $44,830 | 4,160 |
| SC | $38,670 | $36,250 | $43,760 | 4,270 |
| MO | $38,580 | $35,070 | $46,150 | 3,320 |
| PA | $38,580 | $35,800 | $45,000 | 9,810 |
| OH | $38,140 | $35,220 | $44,990 | 5,190 |
| AZ | $38,110 | $33,520 | $46,610 | 3,660 |
| ND | $37,670 | $34,180 | $46,740 | 1,270 |
| TN | $37,630 | $31,210 | $46,890 | 3,420 |
| TX | $37,000 | $33,070 | $44,940 | 13,550 |
| UT | $36,940 | $35,750 | $41,860 | 1,360 |
| NM | $36,850 | $34,610 | $44,710 | 1,400 |
| AL | $36,260 | $29,900 | $44,990 | 2,420 |
| KY | $36,050 | $30,560 | $40,830 | 3,190 |
| MS | $35,980 | $28,130 | $38,940 | 1,300 |
| WV | $35,060 | $30,390 | $38,360 | 1,150 |
| MT | $34,900 | $30,560 | $38,970 | 680 |
| KS | $34,650 | $30,600 | $37,430 | 1,770 |
| LA | $33,990 | $28,690 | $36,810 | 2,290 |
| OK | $32,420 | $29,070 | $37,220 | 2,160 |
| AR | $31,710 | $29,110 | $40,250 | 1,230 |
Top 10 Highest-Paying States for EMTs
These states offer the highest median annual wages for EMTs and paramedics:
States where EMS is integrated into fire departments (and EMTs are classified as firefighter/EMTs) often report higher wages due to public-sector pay scales and benefits.
Certification Cost vs. Earning Potential
EMT certification is one of the most affordable entry points into healthcare. Based on our verified database, the average total initial certification cost is approximately $0 across the 0 states we track.
With a national median salary of $41,340, the certification investment pays for itself quickly. EMT-Basic training programs typically take just a few months to complete, meaning you can go from start to earning a paycheck faster than almost any other healthcare career path.
See our EMT certification cost breakdown for exact fees in every state.
Factors That Affect EMT Pay
Certification Level
The EMS certification ladder has a direct impact on pay. EMT-Basic is the entry level; Advanced EMT (AEMT) and Paramedic certifications require progressively more training but command higher wages. Paramedics can earn significantly more than EMT-Basics due to their expanded scope of practice.
Employer Type
EMTs who work for fire departments (as dual-role firefighter/EMTs) generally earn more and receive better benefits than those working for private ambulance companies. Hospital-based EMS and government agencies also tend to pay more than private transport services.
Location
As the state data shows, geography matters significantly. Urban areas with higher call volumes and cost of living tend to pay more. Rural EMS agencies may pay less but offer other advantages like lower cost of living and broader scope of experience.
Overtime and Shift Schedules
EMS work often involves 24-hour or 48-hour shifts, and overtime opportunities are common due to staffing challenges in many areas. Overtime, holiday pay, and shift differentials can meaningfully increase annual earnings beyond the base figures shown in BLS data.
Experience
Experienced EMTs earn more than new graduates, particularly those who take on additional responsibilities like field training officer (FTO) roles or quality assurance positions. Longevity pay increases are common in public-sector EMS agencies.
Start Your EMT Career
Related guides: EMT Requirements by State · Easiest States · Certification With a Record
Salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. Certification cost data is from our verified state-by-state database. Factors affecting pay are general guidance. For the most current figures, visit bls.gov.
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