EMT Salary: Pay and Take-Home by State
The typical (median) EMT in the US earns $21.38 an hour, or $44,470 a year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for 180,510 jobs (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,960 and $50,100 a year, and the top 10% earn more than $62,500.
After federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, the median salary leaves a single filer about $37,912 a year ($3,159 a month) in a state with no income tax. Using each state's own median pay for this job, take-home is highest in Hawaii ($51,688 a year) and lowest in Oklahoma ($28,648).
EMT pay range
| Pay level | Hourly | Yearly | Take-home a year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $16.41 | $34,130 | $29,603 |
| 25th percentile | $18.25 | $37,960 | $32,681 |
| Median (half earn more) | $21.38 | $44,470 | $37,912 |
| 75th percentile | $24.09 | $50,100 | $42,435 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $30.05 | $62,500 | $52,399 |
The average (mean) is $46,830 a year ($22.52 an hour), above the median because a minority of high earners pull it up. *Take-home after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare for a single filer in a state with no income tax (2026). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 29-2042. Source
EMT salary by state
The highest median pay for EMTs is in Hawaii ($66,410), Alaska ($57,430), New Jersey ($53,620), Washington ($52,690), Rhode Island ($51,290). The lowest is in Oklahoma ($34,170), West Virginia ($34,360), Kansas ($35,780).
The most EMTs work in California (21,880), New York (14,840), Texas (12,770).
After each state's taxes, the most take-home at the local median is in Hawaii ($51,688), Alaska ($48,038), Washington ($43,786), New Jersey ($43,174), Rhode Island ($40,941). A state with no income tax can come out ahead of a state that pays more before tax.
Median pay in each state for this job (BLS, May 2025), and take-home at that pay. Take-home is after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and the state's income tax and payroll programs, for a single filer with a 2026 W-4 and no deductions. Local taxes are not included. *District of Columbia: federal taxes only (DC income tax is not modeled yet).
| State | Median hourly | Median yearly | Take-home a year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $18.18 | $37,810 | $31,028 | 2,020 |
| Alaska | $27.61 | $57,430 | $48,038 | 310 |
| Arizona | $18.99 | $39,500 | $33,128 | 3,970 |
| Arkansas | $17.42 | $36,230 | $30,438 | 1,120 |
| California | $22.30 | $46,380 | $37,922 | 21,880 |
| Colorado | $22.00 | $45,760 | $36,976 | 3,060 |
| Connecticut | $24.35 | $50,650 | $40,792 | 2,190 |
| Delaware | $22.49 | $46,780 | $37,661 | 950 |
| District of Columbia | $22.43 | $46,650 | $39,663* | 370 |
| Florida | $19.17 | $39,870 | $34,215 | 6,060 |
| Georgia | $21.90 | $45,550 | $37,255 | 6,260 |
| Hawaii | $31.93 | $66,410 | $51,688 | 560 |
| Idaho | $18.67 | $38,830 | $32,184 | 780 |
| Illinois | $20.32 | $42,270 | $34,196 | 7,840 |
| Indiana | $20.55 | $42,740 | $34,447 | 4,160 |
| Iowa | $19.55 | $40,660 | $33,839 | 1,510 |
| Kansas | $17.20 | $35,780 | $29,732 | 1,510 |
| Kentucky | $17.69 | $36,800 | $30,578 | 2,770 |
| Louisiana | $17.25 | $35,880 | $30,299 | 2,450 |
| Maine | $22.28 | $46,340 | $37,545 | 1,110 |
| Maryland | $23.12 | $48,090 | $37,522 | 3,400 |
| Massachusetts | $24.15 | $50,230 | $40,209 | 4,550 |
| Michigan | $19.17 | $39,870 | $32,772 | 4,230 |
| Minnesota | $23.12 | $48,090 | $38,141 | 3,160 |
| Mississippi | $17.61 | $36,630 | $30,884 | 1,390 |
| Missouri | $20.27 | $42,160 | $35,016 | 2,800 |
| Montana | $17.38 | $36,150 | $30,291 | 860 |
| Nebraska | $20.05 | $41,700 | $34,380 | 540 |
| Nevada | $18.06 | $37,560 | $32,359 | 1,530 |
| New Hampshire | $22.50 | $46,800 | $39,784 | 1,010 |
| New Jersey | $25.78 | $53,620 | $43,174 | 6,120 |
| New Mexico | $18.05 | $37,540 | $31,350 | 1,260 |
| New York | $23.27 | $48,400 | $38,780 | 14,840 |
| North Carolina | $21.27 | $44,240 | $36,427 | 6,680 |
| North Dakota | $19.07 | $39,670 | $34,055 | 760 |
| Ohio | $19.34 | $40,230 | $33,684 | 5,560 |
| Oklahoma | $16.43 | $34,170 | $28,648 | 2,410 |
| Oregon | $23.69 | $49,280 | $38,020 | 1,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $20.82 | $43,310 | $35,619 | 10,160 |
| Rhode Island | $24.66 | $51,290 | $40,941 | 430 |
| South Carolina | $19.41 | $40,370 | $33,393 | 4,010 |
| South Dakota | $17.69 | $36,800 | $31,749 | 600 |
| Tennessee | $19.39 | $40,330 | $34,585 | 3,860 |
| Texas | $17.91 | $37,250 | $32,110 | 12,770 |
| Utah | $18.72 | $38,940 | $31,830 | 1,280 |
| Vermont | $21.93 | $45,610 | $37,562 | 790 |
| Virginia | $21.84 | $45,430 | $36,885 | 4,490 |
| Washington | $25.33 | $52,690 | $43,786 | 2,940 |
| West Virginia | $16.52 | $34,360 | $28,923 | 900 |
| Wisconsin | $20.70 | $43,060 | $35,020 | 3,930 |
| Wyoming | $22.63 | $47,070 | $40,001 | 400 |
Overtime and pay rules for EMTs
EMTs who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. A fire department or other public agency can instead pay overtime on a work period of 7 to 28 days: for fire protection staff, after 212 hours in 28 days (or the same proportion for a shorter period). Source The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not. Source Estimate your deduction.
How the exemptions work across jobs: who gets overtime pay.
Taxes on an EMT's pay
On the median $44,470, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare take about 14.7% of pay for a single filer: $3,156 of income tax and $3,402 of Social Security and Medicare a year.
Tax bracket. After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $28,370, so the top federal rate is 12%. Each extra dollar from a raise or extra shifts is taxed at about 19.65% before state tax: 12% income tax plus 7.65% Social Security and Medicare. Source
401(k). Putting 5% ($2,224 a year) into a traditional 401(k) lowers federal income tax by about $267, so it costs about $1,957 of take-home pay.
Self-employed or contract work
BLS pay figures cover employees only; self-employed EMTs are not counted. If you work as a contractor (1099), you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare (15.3% self-employment tax) and usually make quarterly estimated payments. Use the 1099 Tax Calculator to see what to set aside, and see 1099 vs W-2 take-home pay for how much more a contractor needs to earn.
Jobs with similar pay
| Job | Median yearly | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Tech | $45,750 | $22 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | $21.75 |
| Customer Service Representative | $44,770 | $21.53 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) | $42,260 | $20.32 |
For a full breakdown of a similar wage, see $22 an hour is how much a year.
EMT salary questions
How much does an EMT make?
The median pay is $21.38 an hour, or $44,470 a year (May 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The bottom 10% earn less than $34,130 and the top 10% more than $62,500.
How much does an EMT make after taxes?
About $37,912 a year, or $1,458 every two weeks, on the median salary for a single filer in a state with no income tax. In Oklahoma, at that state's own median pay, it is about $28,648.
How much does an EMT make a month?
About $3,706 a month before taxes at the median salary, and roughly $3,159 after federal taxes in a state with no income tax.
Which state pays EMTs the most?
Hawaii, with a median of $66,410 a year ($31.93 an hour). Next are Alaska ($57,430) and New Jersey ($53,620). After state taxes, take-home at the local median is highest in Hawaii.
How much does an EMT make an hour?
The median is $21.38 an hour. The middle half earn $18.25 to $24.09, and the top 10% more than $30.05.
Do EMTs get paid overtime?
EMTs who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. A fire department or other public agency can instead pay overtime on a work period of 7 to 28 days: for fire protection staff, after 212 hours in 28 days (or the same proportion for a shorter period). The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not.
More healthcare salaries
Registered Nurse · Nurse Practitioner · Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) · Physician Assistant · Pharmacist · Physical Therapist · Occupational Therapist · Dental Hygienist · Ultrasound Tech (Sonographer) · Respiratory Therapist · Radiology Tech (X-Ray Tech) · Surgical Tech · Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Paramedic · Dental Assistant · Pharmacy Tech · Medical Assistant · Phlebotomist · Nursing Assistant (CNA) · Home Health Aide · Anesthesiologist · Psychiatrist · Family Doctor · Dentist · Veterinarian · Optometrist · Nurse Midwife · Healthcare Administrator · Clinical Psychologist · MRI Tech · Physical Therapist Assistant · Social Worker (Healthcare) · Medical Lab Technologist · Medical Billing and Coding Specialist · Sterile Processing Tech · Vet Tech
All jobs · Hourly to salary chart. BLS data published 2026, reference period May 2025; tax figures checked Oct 26, 2026.