Entry-Level Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Quincy, IL: $31,819 (2026)
Quick Answer:New emergency medical technicians entering the Quincy, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $31,819 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2042, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Quincy's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $32,769 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($42,175) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Quincy, Illinois, new graduates entering the field of emergency medical technology can expect a starting emergency medical technician salary of approximately $31,819 in 2026. This entry-level wage reflects a significant gap when compared to the city’s median salary of $42,175. As early-career professionals gain experience, they can anticipate gradual salary growth; for instance, those earning at the 25th percentile will see pay around $36,720 within a few years. Given the projected annual growth rate of 5.82%, Quincy currently presents an opportunity for new EMTs to build a solid career path, even though entry-level salaries lag behind national averages, which hover around $47,058.
About the Quincy Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Quincy
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Quincy
Entry-level emergency medical technicians in Quincy, IL typically start between $31,819 and $36,720 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $26,805 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $42,175 — 10.38% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average emergency medical services program cost in Illinois of $3,000 represents just 9.43% of the starting emergency medical technician pay ($31,819/year) in Quincy. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CoAEMSP-recognized EMT certificate programs and state EMS office training data. Program length follows National EMS Education Standards (minimum ~150 hours). Tuition-only averages; state-subsidized programs through fire/EMS agencies may be lower.
EMT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Quincy
- 1Research the Quincy market: entry-level emergency medical technician pay ranges from $31,819 to $36,720, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the emergency medical services field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Quincy, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Quincy for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Quincy's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Emergency Medical Technician Compensation Range
The emergency medical technician wage spread in Quincy is $26,805 ( 84.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $31,819, experienced hygienists can earn up to $58,624.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$20,810
2025 BLS Actual
$30,069
2026 Current Est.
$31,819
2021–2027 Growth
+61.8%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Quincy (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $20,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,906 | Actual |
| 2023 | $26,351 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,545 | Actual |
| 2025 | $30,069 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,819 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33,671 | Projected |
Entry-level emergency medical technician compensation (10th percentile) in Quincy, IL grew 44.5% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $20,810 in 2021 to $30,069 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $33,671. New graduates entering the Quincy job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Quincy metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your emergency medical services Career in Quincy
For new grads looking to secure positions, several employers in Quincy actively recruit entry-level emergency medical technicians. Prominent private ambulance companies such as AMR, GMR, and Falck tend to hire rookie EMTs, offering a fast-paced work environment often focused on transport rotations. Municipal fire departments, which may recruit EMTs trained as cross-trained firefighters, usually provide more competitive pay due to union contracts—these roles can sometimes offer salaries 2-3 times higher than those from private ambulance services. To maximize starting pay in Illinois, aspiring EMTs should complete a state-approved EMT-Basic course and pursue national registration through the NREMT. Additionally, considering advanced certifications or specializations can widen employment opportunities. New graduates should set realistic salary growth expectations in the initial years, as earnings tend to stabilize around the municipal pay rates more quickly than those in private sectors, especially amid the stark compensation differences within the industry.
More salary data for Quincy, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new emergency medical services graduates. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Quincy. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Quincy is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov