Entry-Level Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Camas, WA: $39,870 (2026)
Quick Answer:New emergency medical technicians entering the Camas, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,870 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2042, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Camas's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $37,123 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($50,077) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the field as emergency medical technicians in Camas, Washington, can expect an entry-level pay at approximately $39,870 in 2026. This figure represents a starting point that falls short of the city's median annual salary of $50,077, highlighting a distinct gap that new EMTs will need to navigate in the early stages of their careers. However, as individuals gain experience and skills, they can realistically anticipate growth in their salaries, moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile at around $43,361 over the first few years. Given the projected growth rate of 5.82% annually, the Camas market appears to present a reasonable opportunity for those entering the profession, particularly for those who are eager to climb the ladder within a supportive community.
About the Camas Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Camas
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 Camas
Entry-level emergency medical technicians in Camas, WA typically start between $39,870 and $43,361 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $29,359 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $50,077 — 6.42% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average emergency medical services program cost in Washington of $3,500 represents just 8.78% of the starting emergency medical technician pay ($39,870/year) in Camas. 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 Camas
- 1Research the Camas market: entry-level emergency medical technician pay ranges from $39,870 to $43,361, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Camas, 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 Camas for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Camas'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 Camas is $29,359 ( 73.64%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,870, experienced hygienists can earn up to $69,229.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$26,075
2025 BLS Actual
$37,677
2026 Current Est.
$39,870
2021–2027 Growth
+61.8%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Camas (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $26,075 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,208 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,018 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,677 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,870 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,190 | Projected |
Entry-level emergency medical technician compensation (10th percentile) in Camas, WA grew 44.5% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,075 in 2021 to $37,677 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $42,190. New graduates entering the Camas job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camas 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 Camas
In Camas, new graduates seeking employment as emergency medical technicians typically find opportunities with private ambulance companies such as AMR, GMR, and Falck, which frequently hire entry-level candidates for transport roles. Many of these positions allow for quick on-the-job training and can serve as solid foundations for future roles. For those who aspire to work in municipal fire departments, cross-training as firefighter-EMTs through fire academies provides a strategic advantage as these roles tend to offer significantly higher pay, often 2-3 times that of private ambulance EMT wages due to union contracts. To enhance earning potential in Washington, obtaining state certification through a state-approved EMT-Basic course, NREMT national registration, and considering additional certifications such as advanced EMT or tactical EMS will be beneficial. New EMTs can set realistic salary growth expectations in their first three years, understanding that while private service wages have struggled relative to inflation, opportunities in specialized fields like oil-field medicine can yield impressive earnings of $50-$70+/hr, underscoring the importance of credentials and continued professional development.
More salary data for Camas, WA:
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 Camas. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Camas 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