Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Dover, DE: $22.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Dover, DE runs $22.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,682 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.5, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,605 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Dover, Delaware, emergency medical technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $22.92, which is slightly higher than the national median of $22.62. For those working part-time, like a typical schedule of three days a week, this translates to a significant income potential, even if they are not full-time employees. The hourly pay for emergency medical technicians in Dover ranges from $19.74 at entry-level positions to as high as $23.82 for the top earners within the profession. This data, sourced from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflects the various workplace environments EMTs operate in, which include ambulances, fire departments, and event medical teams. Such variability in settings affects both the job responsibilities and the corresponding pay scale, ensuring that this profession remains competitive in Dover's healthcare landscape.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.74 | $157.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.87 | $158.98 |
| Median (P50) | $22.92 | $183.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.80 | $190.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.82 | $190.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $22.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.92/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, DE can expect to earn approximately $47,675 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,505. With a cost-of-living index of 97.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $916.82 | $3,973 | $47,675 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $550.09 | $2,384 | $28,605 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $366.73 | $1,589 | $19,070 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Dover) | $22.92 |
| 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 Dover, DE earn a median of $47,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.33% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 0.40% below the Delaware state average of $47,874.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.92/hr = $28,605/year (purchasing power: $29,336).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,675/year (purchasing power: $48,894).
CoL index: 97.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$16.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.92/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Dover (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Dover grew 33.5% from $16.22/hr (2021) to $21.66/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.25/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 Dover 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 Dover
Considering the financial landscape for part-time emergency medical technicians in Dover, those working a 24-hour week can still bring home a solid income. When compared to full-time positions, part-time EMTs may find that their earnings do not drastically differ, especially when working in areas where demand is high. Per-diem and agency EMTs often find themselves billing anywhere from $20 to $32 per hour with private companies; in contrast, those engaged as oil-field medics can earn between $40 and $70 per hour depending on the region's remoteness. Furthermore, the hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the employer type. Municipal fire departments typically offer higher salaries due to union contracts, while private ambulance companies often lag in pay compared to their public counterparts. Thus, negotiation strategies are crucial for those in the field, especially when weighing the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits against lower, steadier pay with health insurance. Understanding these dynamics can greatly benefit EMTs in Dover as they navigate their career choices.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Dover in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Dover?
Are emergency medical technicians in Dover paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Dover?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Dover?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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 Dover. 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