Entry-Level Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Burlington, IA: $34,640 (2026)
Quick Answer:New emergency medical technicians entering the Burlington, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $34,640 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2042, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $38,319 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($42,766) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduates entering the emergency medical technician field in Burlington, IA can anticipate starting salaries around $34,640 in 2026, which offers a challenging yet realistic entry point for new professionals. This figure stands in stark contrast to the median annual salary of $42,766 for the area, indicating a gap of roughly $8,126 that new EMTs can aim to close as they gain experience. Over the initial 3 to 5 years, individuals can expect their earnings to progress from the entry-level mark to the first quartile of approximately $37,257, moving closer to the median as they accumulate field experience and competencies. Given the city's growing demand for EMT services, Burlington represents a viable market for newly minted EMTs, providing opportunities for upward mobility in the early stages of their careers.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
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 Burlington
Entry-level emergency medical technicians in Burlington, IA typically start between $34,640 and $37,257 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,107 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $42,766 — 9.12% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average emergency medical services program cost in Iowa of $2,000 represents just 5.77% of the starting emergency medical technician pay ($34,640/year) in Burlington. 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 Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level emergency medical technician pay ranges from $34,640 to $37,257, 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 IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, 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 Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington's below-average 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 Burlington is $22,107 ( 63.82%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $34,640, experienced hygienists can earn up to $56,747.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$22,655
2025 BLS Actual
$32,735
2026 Current Est.
$34,640
2021–2027 Growth
+61.8%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Burlington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22,655 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,115 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,687 | Actual |
| 2024 | $25,055 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,735 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,640 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,656 | Projected |
Entry-level emergency medical technician compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, IA grew 44.5% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $22,655 in 2021 to $32,735 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $36,656. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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 Burlington
In Burlington, several employers actively seek out new graduates in the emergency medical technician profession. Private ambulance companies like AMR, GMR, and Falck are the primary employers, frequently hiring entry-level EMTs for rapid-response roles—these positions often involve quick rotations that provide valuable on-the-job training. Furthermore, municipal fire departments look for cross-trained firefighter-EMTs, which often offers higher compensation due to union contracts that can pay 2-3 times more than private ambulance services. To enhance earning potential, new recruits should pursue credentials such as the NREMT national registration, state EMT certification, and gain continued education in advanced areas like tactical EMS. Realistically, first-year salaries may begin near the lower end of the scale and gradually increase as professionals build experience, with potential for significantly higher earnings should they transition into industrial medical roles, where salaries can soar above $50 to $70 an hour in energy-rich areas.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
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 Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington 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