Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Decatur, AL: $18.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Decatur, AL runs $18.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,127 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,873 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Decatur, Alabama, stands at $18.33, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $22.62. This disparity highlights the financial challenges faced by EMTs in the area, particularly those who may work on a part-time basis, such as a typical 24-hour workweek of three days. This rate applies to various settings, including ambulance services, event medical tents, and fire departments. With an hourly range starting from $15.35 for entry-level positions to $22.94 for experienced professionals, many EMTs in Decatur find themselves in a job market that does not quite measure up to national averages. As reportable data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates, these figures offer a concrete perspective on the compensation landscape for emergency medical technicians in the region.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.35 | $122.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.98 | $127.83 |
| Median (P50) | $18.33 | $146.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.94 | $183.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.94 | $183.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $18.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.33/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, AL can expect to earn approximately $38,122 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,994. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $733.12 | $3,177 | $38,122 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $439.87 | $1,906 | $22,873 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $293.25 | $1,271 | $15,249 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Decatur) | $18.33 |
| Paramedic (National Avg) | $27.18 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.62 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $26.89 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.25 |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Decatur, AL earn a median of $38,127 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.98% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.00% below the Alabama state average of $40,134.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.33/hr = $22,873/year (purchasing power: $26,227).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,122/year (purchasing power: $43,712).
CoL index: 87.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$13.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.33/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Decatur (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Decatur grew 25.6% from $13.79/hr (2021) to $17.32/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.39/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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.
Working as an Hourly Emergency Medical Technician in Decatur
Focusing on potential earnings, a part-time emergency medical technician working 24 hours per week could expect an annual take-home of approximately $19,000, assuming they maintain the standard hourly rate. In contrast, full-time EMTs generally enjoy higher earnings but without the flexibility of part-time hours. For those opting for per-diem positions, pay can vary significantly; some private companies offer hourly rates ranging from $20 to $32, depending on the specifics of the job. Additionally, oil-field medics in this region can command rates that vary from $40 to $70 per hour, driven largely by location and demand. Employers differ, with private ambulance services, municipal fire departments, and private entities offering different compensation packages, often weighing benefits like health insurance against higher hourly rates without support. Familiarity with local employment conditions can aid negotiations, encouraging EMTs in Decatur to pursue the best possible arrangements for their unique situations.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Decatur in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for emergency medical technicians in Decatur. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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