Entry-Level Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Sioux City, IA: $37,651 (2026)
Quick Answer:New emergency medical technicians entering the Sioux City, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,651 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2042, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux City's local price level (BEA RPP 86.5 — 14% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,550 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($44,138) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting salaries for new graduates entering the emergency medical technician field in Sioux City, IA, are projected to begin around $37,651 in 2026. This figure falls below the city median salary of $44,138, creating a gap that entry-level EMTs may need to bridge over time. The entry-level wage demonstrates the initial earning potential within the first few years, with opportunities for growth as individuals gain experience and possibly move to higher pay brackets, such as the 25th percentile at $37,862 and the median of $44,138. For new EMTs, the Sioux City market appears to be reasonably favorable for establishing a career, especially considering the projected annual growth rate of 5.82% in the profession, which suggests a promising upward trajectory for earnings as they gain tenure in this vital field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux City
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 Sioux City
Entry-level emergency medical technicians in Sioux City, IA typically start between $37,651 and $37,862 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $24,233 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $44,138 — 6.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average emergency medical services program cost in Iowa of $2,000 represents just 5.31% of the starting emergency medical technician pay ($37,651/year) in Sioux City. 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 Sioux City
- 1Research the Sioux City market: entry-level emergency medical technician pay ranges from $37,651 to $37,862, 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 Sioux City, 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 Sioux City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux City'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 Sioux City is $24,233 ( 64.36%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,651, experienced hygienists can earn up to $61,884.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$23,130
2025 BLS Actual
$35,580
2026 Current Est.
$37,651
2021–2027 Growth
+72.3%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Sioux City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,651 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,842 | Projected |
Entry-level emergency medical technician compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux City, IA grew 53.8% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,130 in 2021 to $35,580 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,842. New graduates entering the Sioux City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City 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 Sioux City
In Sioux City, several employers actively recruit new EMTs, significantly impacting starting pay. Private ambulance companies like AMR, GMR, and Falck typically offer entry-level positions but often with lower wages than municipal fire departments, which hire cross-trained firefighter-EMTs through fire academies. These fire department personnel frequently enjoy higher pay due to union contracts, earning two to three times more than their private ambulance counterparts. For those looking to enhance their starting emergency medical technician salary in Sioux City, obtaining credentials such as national registration from the NREMT and certifications in Basic Life Support can be advantageous. Continuous education, like pursuing advanced EMT or tactical EMS training, further strengthens career prospects. New graduates should set realistic growth expectations, recognizing that wages in their first three years may start lower but can increase substantially, particularly if they transition to higher-paying roles in sectors like industrial medicine, where medics can earn between $50 to $70+ per hour in specific regions.
More salary data for Sioux City, 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 Sioux City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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