How Much Does an Emt Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$44,470
EMTs in the U.S. earn a median of $44,470 a year, or $21.38 an hour. Half of EMTs earn more than $44,470 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $62,500.
Pay percentiles for EMTs
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.41 | $34,130 |
| 25th | $18.25 | $37,960 |
| 50th (median) | $21.38 | $44,470 |
| 75th | $24.09 | $50,100 |
| 90th | $30.05 | $62,500 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Emergency Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2042). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for EMTs
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66,410 | $31.93 | +49% |
| Alaska | $57,440 | $27.61 | +29% |
| New Jersey | $53,610 | $25.78 | +21% |
| Washington | $52,690 | $25.33 | +18% |
| Rhode Island | $51,290 | $24.66 | +15% |
| Connecticut | $50,640 | $24.35 | +14% |
| Massachusetts | $50,230 | $24.15 | +13% |
| Oregon | $49,270 | $23.69 | +11% |
| New York | $48,400 | $23.27 | +9% |
| Maryland | $48,100 | $23.12 | +8% |
| United States | $44,470 | $21.38 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many EMTs are there?
BLS counts about 180,510 EMTs employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Emergency Medical Technicians”. The most jobs are in California (21,880), New York (14,840) and Texas (12,770).
The mean (average) annual wage is $46,830, higher than the median of $44,470.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,706
- Biweekly
- $1,710
- Weekly
- $855
- Daily (8 hours)
- $171
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do EMTs make an hour?
The median hourly wage for EMTs is $21.38. The middle 50% earn between $18.25 and $24.09 an hour.
Which state pays EMTs the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage for EMTs at $66,410, +49% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for EMTs?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of EMTs earn less than $34,130 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.