Emergency Medical Technicians
SOC 29-2042 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Emergency Medical Technicians is $38,930, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $43,100, and an estimated 167,040 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2021 and 2023, pay rose +9.8% while consumer prices rose 12.4% — a real change of -2.4% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 5.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Emergency Medical Technicians has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $38,930 | $38,930 | 167,040 |
| 2022 | $36,680 | $38,190 | 167,720 |
| 2021 | $35,470 | $39,886 | 161,400 |
Nominal change
+9.8%
Inflation (CPI)
+12.4%
Real change
-2.4%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+5.1%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
181,000
Projected 2034
190,200
Annual Openings
14,100
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Emergency Medical Technicians earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $38,930. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $61,330 | +57.5% | 130 |
| Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $59,730 | +53.4% | 50 |
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $59,310 | +52.4% | — |
| Hawaii | $59,300 | +52.3% | 560 |
| Alaska | $51,850 | +33.2% | 390 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $49,830 | +28% | 140 |
| Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $48,420 | +24.4% | 100 |
| District of Columbia | $47,440 | +21.9% | 320 |
| Virgin Islands | $47,050 | +20.9% | 60 |
| Virgin Islands | $47,050 | +20.9% | 60 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$29,910
25th Pct
$34,730
Median
$38,930
75th Pct
$46,760
90th Pct
$59,390
Related Occupations in Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Healthcare Practitioners & Technical occupations →