Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Benton, AR: $19.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Benton, AR runs $19.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,061 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Benton's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,036 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Benton, Arkansas, the projected hourly pay for emergency medical technicians stands at $19.26, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $22.62. This variance reflects both regional economic conditions and the evolving demand for EMT services locally. For part-time workers, such as those with a typical schedule of three days a week, this rate translates to earning approximately $736 per week before taxes. In high-paced environments like ambulance units, hospital emergency departments, and event medical services, EMTs can expect an hourly range from $14.75 for entry-level positions to $25.94 for more experienced roles. These rates showcase how the emergency medical technician's hourly pay in Benton is reliant on both tenure and the specific demands of various work settings.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.75 | $118.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.24 | $129.95 |
| Median (P50) | $19.26 | $154.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.26 | $170.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.94 | $207.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Benton
Based on $19.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.26/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Benton, AR can expect to earn approximately $40,059 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,111. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Benton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Benton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $770.37 | $3,338 | $40,059 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $462.22 | $2,003 | $24,036 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $308.15 | $1,335 | $16,024 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Benton) | $19.26 |
| 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 Benton, AR earn a median of $40,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.87% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $40,879.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.26/hr = $24,036/year (purchasing power: $27,659).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,059/year (purchasing power: $46,098).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.26/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Benton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Benton grew 25.4% from $14.52/hr (2021) to $18.20/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.38/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 Benton 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 Benton
Considering the financial landscape for part-time emergency medical technicians, working a three-day schedule nets about $38,272 annually, which is significantly lower than full-time earnings. Some EMTs opt for per diem roles, where compensation can vary widely; in private companies, these professionals might earn between $20 to $32 per hour, while oil-field medics can command $40 to $70 per hour based on geographical factors. In Benton, hourly wages also depend on one's employer type, with municipal fire department EMTs often earning higher due to union contracts, while private ambulance companies lag behind. Alongside the hourly pay, many EMTs face decisions concerning benefits versus pay rates; those seeking health coverage often choose positions with lower hourly pay at public agencies, while others may prefer higher pay at private firms without benefits. For effective negotiations, it's advantageous for workers in Benton to research typical pay rates and benefits packages to ensure a fair compensation agreement.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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
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 Benton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Benton 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