Entry-Level Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Rawlins, WY: $28,435 (2026)
Quick Answer:New emergency medical technicians entering the Rawlins, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $28,435 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2042, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Rawlins's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $29,682 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($36,106) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rawlins, Wyoming, the starting emergency medical technician salary is projected to be around $28,435 in 2026. This entry-level pay reflects the challenges new graduates may face as they begin their careers in the emergency medical services field. When compared to the city’s median annual earnings of $36,106, it becomes clear there is a significant gap that entry-level EMTs must navigate. However, there's room for advancement, as early-career EMTs can expect to see their salaries increase through years of experience and education, with potential earnings moving from approximately $30,865 at the 25th percentile up to the median level within their first few years. Rawlins provides a viable market for entering this profession, offering opportunities for growth that align with the anticipated 5.82% increase in demand for EMTs in the coming years.
About the Rawlins Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Rawlins
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 Rawlins
Entry-level emergency medical technicians in Rawlins, WY typically start between $28,435 and $30,865 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,734 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $36,106 — 23.27% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average emergency medical services program cost in Wyoming of $2,200 represents just 7.74% of the starting emergency medical technician pay ($28,435/year) in Rawlins. 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 Rawlins
- 1Research the Rawlins market: entry-level emergency medical technician pay ranges from $28,435 to $30,865, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Rawlins, 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 Rawlins for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Rawlins'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 Rawlins is $20,734 ( 72.92%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $28,435, experienced hygienists can earn up to $49,169.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$18,596
2025 BLS Actual
$26,871
2026 Current Est.
$28,435
2021–2027 Growth
+61.8%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Rawlins (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18,596 | Actual |
| 2022 | $22,257 | Actual |
| 2023 | $23,549 | Actual |
| 2024 | $26,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,871 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,435 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,090 | Projected |
Entry-level emergency medical technician compensation (10th percentile) in Rawlins, WY grew 44.5% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $18,596 in 2021 to $26,871 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $30,090. New graduates entering the Rawlins job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rawlins 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 Rawlins
New graduates seeking entry-level positions in Rawlins should consider a variety of potential employers that regularly hire aspiring emergency medical technicians. Private ambulance companies like AMR and GMR tend to onboard most new EMTs, providing rapid on-the-job training and transport experience. In contrast, municipal fire departments often recruit cross-trained firefighter-EMTs through fire academy programs, which usually result in significantly higher wages, sometimes 2-3 times that of private ambulance EMTs, thanks to union contracts. For those interested in more specialized roles, industrial medic positions in oil-field regions can offer lucrative pay rates that range between $50 to $70 per hour. To enhance starting pay, obtaining credentials such as the NREMT national registration and completing state-approved EMT-Basic courses are essential steps for career progression. Early in your career, focusing on building clinical experience and considering the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway can also improve salary prospects in the long term.
More salary data for Rawlins, WY:
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 Rawlins. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rawlins 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