Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Thornton, CO: $23.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Thornton, CO runs $23.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,172 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Thornton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,503 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Thornton, Colorado, emergency medical technicians earn a median hourly pay of $23.64, positioning them slightly ahead of the national median of $22.62. This hourly rate caters to EMTs working in various settings, including ambulance patient compartments, fire engine medical bays, and hospital emergency departments. For part-time workers, such as those on a typical three-day workweek, this translates to a substantial opportunity to earn a living while maintaining a flexible schedule. The hourly pay scale in Thornton ranges from $17.15 for entry-level positions to a maximum of $34.74 for the most experienced technicians. These figures provide insight into the economic viability of the EM field in the area, even though they are derived from overall annual salary data.
About the Thornton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.15 | $137.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.32 | $154.58 |
| Median (P50) | $23.64 | $189.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.59 | $220.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.74 | $277.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Thornton
Based on $23.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.64/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Thornton, CO can expect to earn approximately $49,172 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,368. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Thornton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Thornton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $945.61 | $4,098 | $49,172 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $567.36 | $2,459 | $29,503 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $378.24 | $1,639 | $19,669 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Thornton) | $23.64 |
| 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 Thornton, CO earn a median of $49,172 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.49% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $48,398.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.64/hr = $29,503/year (purchasing power: $28,098).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,172/year (purchasing power: $46,830).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$17.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.64/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Thornton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Thornton grew 25.4% from $17.82/hr (2021) to $22.34/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.02/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 Thornton 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 Thornton
For part-time EMTs working 24 hours a week in Thornton, annual earnings may reach around $29,529, significantly lower than full-time colleagues yet still providing adequate supplementary income. Those in per-diem or agency roles can tap into even more variable pay structures; for example, event EMTs may charge between $20-$32 per hour, while oil-field medics on remote assignments can command $40-$70 per hour. Hourly rates can differ across employer types, such as private ambulance companies and municipal fire departments, reflecting the trade-offs between earnings and benefits like health insurance. Negotiating pay in Thornton requires an understanding of these variables: EMTs might opt for a lower hourly wage in exchange for benefits, whereas others may favor higher pay rates without those fringe benefits, illustrating the complexities of compensation in this profession.
More salary data for Thornton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Thornton in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Thornton?
Are emergency medical technicians in Thornton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Thornton?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Thornton?
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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 Thornton. 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 Thornton 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