Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Tampa, FL: $22.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Tampa, FL runs $22.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,074 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Tampa's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,641 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, Florida, emergency medical technicians earn a median hourly rate of $22.15, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $22.62. This rate reflects the earning potential in various environments where EMTs operate, including ambulance services, hospital emergency departments, and industrial sites. For part-time workers operating three days a week, the pay translates to an annual take-home that significantly differs from full-time positions. The hourly wage in Tampa ranges from $17.57 for entry-level positions (10th percentile) to $24.30 for the top earners (90th percentile), demonstrating both the entry points and potential for advancement within the field based on experience and specialization. According to the data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures highlight the financial landscape for emergency medical technicians in the region.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.57 | $140.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.10 | $152.80 |
| Median (P50) | $22.15 | $177.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.61 | $180.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.30 | $194.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tampa
Based on $22.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.15/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tampa, FL can expect to earn approximately $46,068 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,578. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tampa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tampa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $885.93 | $3,839 | $46,068 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $531.56 | $2,303 | $27,641 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $354.37 | $1,536 | $18,427 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Tampa) | $22.15 |
| 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 Tampa, FL earn a median of $46,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.09% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 10.50% above the Florida state average of $41,696.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.15/hr = $27,641/year (purchasing power: $27,397).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,068/year (purchasing power: $45,662).
CoL index: 100.89 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$13.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.15/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+69.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Tampa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Tampa grew 51.0% from $13.86/hr (2021) to $20.93/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.44/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 Tampa 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 Tampa
Working part-time as an emergency medical technician in Tampa can yield a respectable annual income based on a 24-hour work week. Depending on the employer type, part-time EMTs typically earn different rates that impact their overall earnings. For example, per diem emergency medical technician pay in Tampa varies from $20 to $32 per hour for private companies, while oil-field medics might command $40 to $70 per hour depending on the location's remoteness. Emergency medical technicians affiliated with municipal fire departments often enjoy more competitive wages because of union agreements, which can exceed what private ambulance services offer. However, many face decisions around negotiating for higher hourly rates at the cost of health benefits or stability. Understanding the local pay structure can empower EMTs, whether they are looking for hourly flexibility or seeking pathways to higher-paying roles like paramedic positions.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
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 Tampa. 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