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EMT: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$44,470median pay per year, or $21.38 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $34,130lowest 10% earn less
  2. $37,96025th percentile
  3. $44,470median
  4. $50,10075th percentile
  5. $62,500top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[6]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Emergency medical technicians earned a median of $44,470 a year in May 2025, which is below the median for all US jobs[1][2]. Training for the basic level usually takes less than a year, and BLS expects the field to grow faster than the job market as a whole[3][4][5].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5.8%[4]
Openings per year
13,800[7]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[8]

How much do EMTs make?

The median wage for Emergency Medical Technicians was $44,470 a year, or $21.38 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of EMTs earned more than that and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was a bit higher at $46,830 a year, or $22.52 an hour[9].

The median across all US occupations was $50,980, so a typical EMT earns less than a typical US worker[2][1].

Pay spreads out like this[6][10]:

Percentile Per year Per hour
10th $34,130 $16.41
25th $37,960 $18.25
75th $50,100 $24.09
90th $62,500 $30.05

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $34,130, and the top 10% earned more than $62,500[6][11]. BLS does not publish a starting salary, so these figures do not tell you what a new EMT will be offered[11].

These numbers count only workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include the value of benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions[12].

Pay by state and city

Where you work changes EMT pay a lot. Hawaii had the highest state median at $66,410, followed by Alaska at $57,440, New Jersey at $53,610, Washington at $52,690 and Rhode Island at $51,290[13]. At the other end, Oklahoma ($34,170) and West Virginia ($34,360) had the lowest medians[13].

The biggest job markets are not the best paying. California had the most EMT jobs at 21,880, then New York with 14,840, Texas with 12,770, Pennsylvania with 10,160 and Illinois with 7,840[14]. Texas had a median of $37,260, well under the national figure[13][1].

Among metro areas with at least 100 EMT jobs, Urban Honolulu paid the most, with a median of $67,050[15]. Trenton-Princeton, NJ ($56,430) and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($55,700) came next[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area stands out for size, with 13,780 jobs and a median of $53,820[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Hawaii[13]$66,410560
Alaska$57,440310
New Jersey$53,6106,120
Washington$52,6902,940
Rhode Island$51,290430
Connecticut$50,6402,190
Massachusetts$50,2304,550
Oregon$49,2701,970
New York$48,40014,840
Maryland$48,1003,400
Minnesota$48,0903,160
Wyoming$47,070400
Delaware$46,790950
New Hampshire$46,7901,010
District of Columbia$46,650370
California$46,38021,880
Maine$46,3401,110
Colorado$45,7503,060
Vermont$45,600790
Georgia$45,5506,260
Virginia$45,4204,490
North Carolina$44,2506,680
Pennsylvania$43,31010,160
Wisconsin$43,0603,930
Indiana$42,7404,160
Illinois$42,2607,840
Missouri$42,1602,800
Nebraska$41,710540
Iowa$40,6601,510
South Carolina$40,3704,010
Tennessee$40,3303,860
Ohio$40,2205,560
Florida$39,8706,060
Michigan$39,8704,230
North Dakota$39,670760
Arizona$39,5003,970
Utah$38,9301,280
Idaho$38,840780
Alabama$37,8102,020
Nevada$37,5601,530
New Mexico$37,5501,260
Texas$37,26012,770
Kentucky$36,8002,770
South Dakota$36,800600
Mississippi$36,6301,390
Arkansas$36,2301,120
Montana$36,140860
Louisiana$35,8702,450
Kansas$35,7801,510
West Virginia$34,360900
Oklahoma$34,1702,410

How to become an EMT

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the usual education for entry, with no prior related work experience and no on-the-job training needed[8]. The training and licensing details below come from a BLS profile that covers EMTs and paramedics together, so some of it describes the wider group[17].

1) In high school, take life science classes and think about getting CPR certified[18]. Some high schools offer EMT training in vocational or technical programs[18]. 2) Meet the program entry rules, which differ by state but generally mean finishing high school (or the equivalent) and holding CPR and basic life support certification[19]. Some programs teach CPR and basic life support as part of the course instead[20]. 3) Finish an EMT program, which usually ends in a nondegree award[3]. Technical institutes, community colleges, universities and emergency care training centers offer them, and some lessons may happen in a hospital or ambulance[3]. EMT-Basic training covers patient assessment, emergency handling and field equipment[20]. 4) Get licensed in the state where you will work, since every state requires it and the rules vary[21][22]. Certification is the usual route, while some states use their own equivalent exam[22]. A state may also set a minimum age or run a background check[22]. 5) Hold a driver's license, which employers typically ask for, and they may prefer ambulance driver certification too[23].

Volunteering as an EMT can help you build experience for paid work[24].

Moving up. EMT-Intermediate training adds advanced skills such as complex airway devices, IV fluids and some medications[20]. Paramedic programs require EMT-Intermediate certification, and paramedics usually work as EMTs first[25][26]. Paramedics had a median wage of $60,600[27]. With more schooling, paramedics can move into other healthcare jobs, for example through paramedic-to-RN programs[28].

What EMTs do

EMTs check people who are hurt or sick, give basic emergency care and may take them to a hospital or other medical facility[29]. Typical tasks include[30]:

EMTs also attend classes to keep their certification current and stay up to date[30]. Common job titles include Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and First Responder[31].

Where they work

In the wider EMT and paramedic group, ambulance services were the largest employer at 46% of jobs, followed by local government at 38%[32][17].

The job happens indoors and outside, whatever the weather[33]. It is physically demanding, with a lot of time on your feet, and it can be stressful when lives are at stake[33]. BLS says injury and illness rates in this group rank among the highest of any occupation[34]. Kneeling, bending and lifting patients are a big part of the day, and there is a risk of exposure to serious diseases[34]. Safety steps, like waiting for police to secure a violent scene or wearing a mask and gloves, help lower that risk[34].

Full-time work is typical, and some people work over 40 hours a week[35]. Because emergencies happen at any hour, shifts can fall on nights, weekends and holidays, and some last 12, 18 or 24 hours[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects EMT employment to grow 5.8% between 2025 and 2035, rising from roughly 181,900 jobs to 192,500[4]. That is faster than the 3.5% expected for all occupations[5].

Expect about 13,800 openings each year on average[7]. Openings include jobs that free up when workers retire or change careers, not only new positions[7]. Each year about 2.1% of EMTs are expected to leave the labor force and 4.7% to switch to another occupation[36].

The projection counts include self-employed workers, so they are not the same measure as the 180,510 wage and salary jobs in the pay data[4][37]. The BLS profile data also leave out volunteer EMTs[38].

Is it a good fit?

The entry path is short. Basic EMT training often takes under a year and needs no prior work experience[3][8]. The trade-off is pay: the median of $44,470 is below the all-occupations median, though some states and cities pay well above it[1][2][13][15]. Growth is ahead of the overall job market, and there are about 13,800 openings a year[4][5][7]. It may suit someone who can handle physical, stressful work and irregular shifts, and who sees EMT as a first step toward paramedic or other healthcare roles[33][35][25][28].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[27].

Frequently asked questions

How much does an EMT make an hour?
The median hourly wage for EMTs was $21.38 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $16.41 an hour and the top 10% earned more than $30.05[10].
How long does it take to become an EMT?
EMT-Basic programs typically take less than 1 year, and EMT-Intermediate programs can take up to 2 years[3]. You also need a state license before you can work[21].
What degree do you need to be an EMT?
No degree is typical. BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the usual entry education[8], and most EMT programs award a nondegree credential[3]. Programs usually expect a high school diploma or equivalent[19].
Is EMT in demand?
BLS projects 5.8% growth from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% for all occupations, with about 13,800 openings a year[4][5][7].
What is the highest paying state for EMTs?
Hawaii, with a median of $66,410 a year, followed by Alaska at $57,440 and New Jersey at $53,610[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Emergency Medical Technicians in the US was $44,470 per year and $21.38 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Emergency Medical Technicians is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 181,900 to 192,500 jobs (a change of +10,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Emergency Medical Technicians: 10th percentile $34,130, 25th percentile $37,960, 75th percentile $50,100, 90th percentile $62,500. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 13,800 openings for Emergency Medical Technicians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Emergency Medical Technicians: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Emergency Medical Technicians was $46,830 per year and $22.52 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Emergency Medical Technicians: 10th percentile $16.41, 25th percentile $18.25, 75th percentile $24.09, 90th percentile $30.05. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Emergency Medical Technicians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Emergency Medical Technicians jobs: California 21,880; New York 14,840; Texas 12,770; Pennsylvania 10,160; Illinois 7,840. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Emergency Medical Technicians (areas with at least 100 jobs): Urban Honolulu, HI $67,050; Trenton-Princeton, NJ $56,430; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $55,700; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $54,990; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $54,650; Wilmington, NC $53,850; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $53,820; New Haven, CT $53,440. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Emergency Medical Technicians jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 13,780 (median $53,820); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 6,610 (median $45,090); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 5,610 (median $44,020); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 4,970 (median $47,790); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 3,580 (median $51,480); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 3,410 (median $50,560). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "EMTs and Paramedics" covers Emergency Medical Technicians together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Work Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Work Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. O*NET description of Emergency Medical Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET task list for Emergency Medical Technicians. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET 29-2042.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), First Responder. O*NET OnLine
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of emts and paramedics in 2025: Ambulance services 46%; Local government, excluding education and hospitals 38%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Emergency Medical Technicians: 2.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 180,510 people were employed as Emergency Medical Technicians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  38. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.