Entry-Level Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Medford, OR: $37,820 (2026)
Quick Answer:New emergency medical technicians entering the Medford, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,820 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2042, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Medford's local price level (BEA RPP 101.4 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $37,286 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($51,280) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those embarking on a career as a new graduate emergency medical technician in Medford, Oregon, the starting salary is projected to be around $37,820 in 2026. This amount may seem modest when juxtaposed with the city’s median annual salary of $51,280, indicating a significant gap that new EMTs will need to navigate early in their careers. Entry-level positions set the stage for growth, with wages expected to rise to the 25th percentile at $48,487 within a few years. This trajectory not only highlights the potential for advancement but also positions Medford as a viable market for fresh EMT graduates, particularly with a healthy projected job growth rate of 5.82% annually.
Career Earnings Timeline in Medford
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 Medford
Entry-level emergency medical technicians in Medford, OR typically start between $37,820 and $48,487 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $27,238 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $51,280 — 8.97% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average emergency medical services program cost in Oregon of $3,500 represents just 9.25% of the starting emergency medical technician pay ($37,820/year) in Medford. 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 Medford
- 1Research the Medford market: entry-level emergency medical technician pay ranges from $37,820 to $48,487, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Medford, 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 Medford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Medford'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 Medford is $27,238 ( 72.02%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,820, experienced hygienists can earn up to $65,058.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$24,734
2025 BLS Actual
$35,740
2026 Current Est.
$37,820
2021–2027 Growth
+61.8%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Medford (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24,734 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,820 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,021 | Projected |
Entry-level emergency medical technician compensation (10th percentile) in Medford, OR grew 44.5% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,734 in 2021 to $35,740 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $40,021. New graduates entering the Medford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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 Medford
The Medford job market for entry-level emergency medical technicians is likely to be dominated by several key employers. Private ambulance providers like AMR, GMR, and Falck typically recruit new EMTs, offering a quick on-the-job rotation that helps bolster practical experience. Additionally, municipal fire departments often recruit cross-trained firefighter-EMTs through established fire academy programs, leading to considerably higher pay discrepancies where fire department EMTs can earn 2-3 times more than their private ambulance counterparts. Candidates will benefit from obtaining the necessary credentials, including the state-approved EMT-Basic course and NREMT national registration, which can enhance starting emergency medical technician pay in Oregon. Furthermore, those considering the first three years in this role should focus on growth strategies, particularly with the future prospect of advancing to higher-paying positions or roles in oil-field medic environments where wages can significantly exceed typical entry-level earnings.
More salary data for Medford, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for emergency medical technicians in Medford in 2026?
How fast do emergency medical technician salaries grow in Medford?
Is emergency medical services school worth it in Medford?
What do new emergency medical technicians make right out of school in Medford?
How do I become a emergency medical technician in Oregon?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 Medford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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