Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Atlanta, GA: $24.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Atlanta, GA runs $24.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,265 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Atlanta's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,163 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlanta, Georgia, the projected median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians stands at $24.17, which is notably higher than the national median of $22.62. This rate provides a competitive edge for EMTs in Atlanta, especially for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. Part-time workers typically handle shifts in various settings—such as ambulance patient compartments, fire engine medical bays, or hospital emergency departments—allowing for a flexible schedule while earning a substantial wage. EMS professionals in the city can expect hourly earnings that range from $19.44 for entry-level positions to approximately $29.31 for the highest earners, reflecting the diverse nature of the roles available in Atlanta's emergency response landscape.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.44 | $155.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.54 | $172.36 |
| Median (P50) | $24.17 | $193.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.87 | $198.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.31 | $234.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlanta
Based on $24.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.17/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlanta, GA can expect to earn approximately $50,272 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,003. With a cost-of-living index of 100.06 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Atlanta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlanta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $966.77 | $4,189 | $50,272 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $580.06 | $2,514 | $30,163 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $386.71 | $1,676 | $20,109 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Atlanta) | $24.17 |
| 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 Atlanta, GA earn a median of $50,265 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.81% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 10.00% above the Georgia state average of $45,695.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.17/hr = $30,163/year (purchasing power: $30,146).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,272/year (purchasing power: $50,243).
CoL index: 100.058 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$14.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.17/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+76.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Atlanta (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Atlanta grew 57.4% from $14.51/hr (2021) to $22.84/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.58/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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta
For EMTs who choose to work three days a week, their earnings can vary significantly from those employed full-time, largely based on the number of shifts they manage. For instance, an EMT working 24 hours weekly could expect a take-home income that underscores the potential for sustainable earnings even in a part-time capacity. Per-diem emergency medical technician pay in Atlanta is also influenced by the type of employer; private ambulance companies often present lower wages compared to municipal fire departments, which tend to offer more lucrative packages due to union contracts. In specialized roles, such as oil-field medics or tactical EMS for particular events, hourly pay can shoot up to between $30-$70 depending on the job's demands and location. EMTs navigating their career path in Atlanta should be prepared to negotiate their hourly rates, weighing the benefits of stable employment with health coverage against the higher pay offered by per-diem work without benefits. Understanding these dynamics can help them maximize their earning potential in the local market.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
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 Atlanta. 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