State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
Emergency Medical Technicians earn a median of $44,470 per year ($21.38/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 5.1% through 2034, with about 14,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
SOC 29-2042Healthcare Practitioners and TechnicalLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $44,470
- Projected growth
- +5.1%
- Openings a year
- 14,100
- Typical education
- Certificate
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), First Responder.
How much do Emergency Medical Technicians make?
10th percentile$34,130
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$37,960
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$44,470
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$50,100
Upper quartile
90th percentile$62,500
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $44,470 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | $21.38/hr |
| Mean annual wage | $46,830 |
| People employed | 180,510 |
Versus all US occupations
At $44,470, Emergency Medical Technicians earn 13% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $6,510 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $97,870, this is 55% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $62,500 or more while the bottom 10% earn $34,130, a gap of 1.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 16% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Hawaii pays the most at $66,410, and still leads at $60,400 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Emergency Medical Technicians the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66,410 | $60,400 | 560 |
| Alaska | $57,440 | $56,116 | 310 |
| New Jersey | $53,610 | $49,272 | 6,120 |
| Washington | $52,690 | $49,237 | 2,940 |
| Rhode Island | $51,290 | $50,147 | 430 |
| Connecticut | $50,640 | $48,876 | 2,190 |
| Massachusetts | $50,230 | $47,496 | 4,550 |
| Oregon | $49,270 | $47,668 | 1,970 |
| New York | $48,400 | $44,848 | 14,840 |
| Maryland | $48,100 | $45,827 | 3,400 |
Is Emergency Medical Technician a growing career?
Emergency Medical Technicians5.1%
All US occupations3.1%
+5.1% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Emergency Medical Technicians to change 5.1% over 2024–2034, against 3.1% projected for all occupations. That is 9,200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 14,100 openings are projected each year, 7.8% of the 181,000 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow 5 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Emergencies, such as car crashes, natural disasters, drug abuse incidents, and acts of violence, will continue to require the skills of EMTs and paramedics.
Growth in the middle-aged and older population will lead to an increase in age-related health emergencies, such as falls, heart attacks, and strokes. This increase, in turn, will support demand for EMT and paramedic services.
How to become an Emergency Medical Technician
All states require EMTs to be licensed, and requirements vary by state. The usual route is completing a state-approved EMT course that meets or exceeds the National EMS Education Standards, then passing the National Registry EMT certification examination together with a state-approved BLS skills competency requirement, then applying to the state for the license. BLS notes most states require National Registry certification, while others accept passage of an equivalent state exam.
The credential path, step by step
- Complete a state-approved EMT courseUnder 1 year
The course must meet or exceed the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards. Programs run at technical institutes, community colleges, universities and specialist emergency care training facilities. Applicants usually need a high school diploma or equivalent and CPR and basic life support (BLS) certification, though entry requirements vary by state; courses that do not require them on entry teach them. The National Registry requires the course to have been completed within the past two years.
- Meet the state BLS skills competency requirement
For the EMR and EMT levels the hands-on skills evaluation is established and approved by your State EMS Office rather than by the National Registry.
- Pass the National Registry EMT certification examination
Sit the computer adaptive cognitive exam through Pearson VUE or remote proctoring. Passed exam portions and skills verification stay valid for 24 months while you complete the other eligibility requirements.
- Apply for the state EMS license
All states require EMTs to be licensed. Most require National Registry certification; others require passage of an equivalent state exam. States may add requirements such as a minimum age and a background check.
- Recertify every two years
Complete 40 NCCP continuing education credits across the national, local/state and individual components, or retake the cognitive examination.
- Move up to AEMT or Paramedic if you want to advance
AEMT and Paramedic are separate National Registry certification levels with their own examinations. Paramedic candidates must complete a CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic program or one holding a CoAEMSP Letter of Review, and BLS notes paramedics typically need work experience as an EMT before entering a paramedic program.
Exams you have to pass
National Registry EMT certification examination
A computer adaptive cognitive exam of 70 to 120 items (including 10 pilot/unscored items) with a two-hour limit, covering scene size-up and safety, primary assessment, secondary assessment, patient treatment and transport, and operations. Taken after a state-approved EMT course completed within the past two years. Passed portions and skills competency verification remain valid for 24 months.
Administered by National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, delivered by Pearson VUE or OnVUE remote proctoring.
State EMS Office approved BLS skills competency requirement
The practical skills evaluation for the EMR and EMT levels. The National Registry states this process is established and approved by each state and did not change when the updated BLS certification examinations went live on 7 April 2025. It is a separate requirement from the cognitive exam.
Administered by Each State EMS Office.
- Program accreditation
CoAEMSP · Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions
This gate applies at the Paramedic level, not at EMT level. CoAEMSP is the only organization recognized by CAAHEP to provide accreditation services for Paramedic and, beginning in 2025, AEMT education programs. Since 1 January 2013, initial Paramedic applicants for National EMS Certification must have completed a CAAHEP-accredited Paramedic program or one holding a CoAEMSP Letter of Review. For EMT certification, what is required is a state-approved course, not programmatic accreditation.
- Program accreditation
CAAHEP · Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
The accreditor that recognizes CoAEMSP and confers accreditation on Paramedic education programs.
- How long the training takes
Under 1 year for EMT
BLS reports most EMT programs lead to a nondegree award and typically take less than 1 year for EMT-Basic certification and up to 2 years for EMT-Intermediate certification. Note that BLS uses the older EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate labels while the National Registry certifies at EMR, EMT, AEMT and Paramedic levels. Paramedic programs are longer and may lead to an associate or bachelor's degree.
- Continuing education
Required to stay credentialed
National Registry EMTs must renew their certification every two years. The EMT National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) requires 40 credits of continuing education split across three components — national, local/state, and individual. Alternatively an EMT can recertify by retaking the cognitive examination. State license renewal is a separate process set by each state.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
The license comes from the state EMS office, not from the National Registry. What differs: whether the state requires National Registry certification or accepts an equivalent state exam; the content and administration of the BLS skills competency requirement, which each state establishes and approves for the EMR and EMT levels; and other conditions such as a minimum age and a background check. The National Registry itself sets no minimum age for national certification. Employers typically require a driver's license and may prefer ambulance driver certification.
Who governs the credential
- National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (National Registry / NREMT) — Issues National EMS Certification at four levels — Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Advanced EMT (AEMT) and Paramedic — through certification examinations and continued competency requirements. It certifies; it does not license. Licensure is a state function.
Credential detail for emergency medical technicians is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, EMTs and Paramedics (How to Become One) · checked August 23, 2026
- National Registry of EMTs, EMT Full Education Program Pathway · checked August 23, 2026
- National Registry of EMTs, The Updated EMR and EMT Certification Examinations · checked August 23, 2026
- National Registry of EMTs, EMT Recertification · checked August 23, 2026
- National Registry of EMTs, Paramedic Program Accreditation Policy · checked August 23, 2026
- CoAEMSP, Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics typically complete a postsecondary educational program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed in the state in which they work; requirements vary by state.
| Typical entry-level education | Postsecondary nondegree award |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Some preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
What does an Emergency Medical Technician do?
Assess injuries and illnesses and administer basic emergency medical care. May transport injured or sick persons to medical facilities.
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.
Day-to-day tasks
- Administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings.
- Assess nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures.
- Attend training classes to maintain certification licensure, keep abreast of new developments in the field, or maintain existing knowledge.
- Comfort and reassure patients.
- Communicate with dispatchers or treatment center personnel to provide information about situation, to arrange reception of survivors, or to receive instructions for further treatment.
- Coordinate work with other emergency medical team members or police or fire department personnel.
- Decontaminate ambulance interior following treatment of patient with infectious disease, and report case to proper authorities.
- Drive mobile intensive care unit to specified location, following instructions from emergency medical dispatcher.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most EMTs and paramedics work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. Because EMTs and paramedics must be available to work in emergencies, their schedules may vary to include nights, weekends, and holidays. Some EMTs and paramedics work extended shifts, such as ones lasting 12, 18, or 24 hours.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Where emergency medical technicians work
| Ambulance services | 45% |
|---|---|
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 26% |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; private | 15% |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; local | 3% |
| Outpatient care centers | 2% |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition.
Tools and software
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Information retrieval or search software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits an Emergency Medical Technician?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realisticprimary5.5
Investigativeprimary4.6
Artistic1.0
Socialprimary5.6
Enterprising1.6
Conventional3.8
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Emergency Medical Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Emergency Medical Technicians make?
Emergency Medical Technicians earn a median of $44,470 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 13% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $21.38/hr. The middle half earn between $37,960 and $50,100. The top 10% earn $62,500 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Emergency Medical Technician?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Emergency Medical Technicians.
Is Emergency Medical Technician a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.1% over 2024–2034, faster than the 3.1% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 14,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Emergency Medical Technician do?
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities. A core O*NET task: administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in prehospital settings. Employers most often ask for Medical software, Office suite software, Presentation software.
Which states pay Emergency Medical Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Emergency Medical Technicians are Hawaii ($66,410), Alaska ($57,440), New Jersey ($53,610) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Emergency Medical Technician?
O*NET scores Emergency Medical Technicians highest on the Social, Realistic and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISFJ, ISTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become an Emergency Medical Technician?
Under 1 year for EMT. BLS reports most EMT programs lead to a nondegree award and typically take less than 1 year for EMT-Basic certification and up to 2 years for EMT-Intermediate certification. Note that BLS uses the older EMT-Basic and EMT-Intermediate labels while the National Registry certifies at EMR, EMT, AEMT and Paramedic levels. Paramedic programs are longer and may lead to an associate or bachelor's degree.
Do you need a license to work as an Emergency Medical Technician?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. The license comes from the state EMS office, not from the National Registry. What differs: whether the state requires National Registry certification or accepts an equivalent state exam; the content and administration of the BLS skills competency requirement, which each state establishes and approves for the EMR and EMT levels; and other conditions such as a minimum age and a background check. The National Registry itself sets no minimum age for national certification. Employers typically require a driver's license and may prefer ambulance driver certification.
What exams do you have to pass to become an Emergency Medical Technician?
The National Registry EMT certification examination and the State EMS Office approved BLS skills competency requirement. A computer adaptive cognitive exam of 70 to 120 items (including 10 pilot/unscored items) with a two-hour limit, covering scene size-up and safety, primary assessment, secondary assessment, patient treatment and transport, and operations. Taken after a state-approved EMT course completed within the past two years. Passed portions and skills competency verification remain valid for 24 months.