Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Decatur, IL: $21.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Decatur, IL runs $21.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,067 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,439 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Decatur, IL, the projected median hourly pay for emergency medical technicians is estimated at $21.19 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $22.62. This hourly wage reflects the financial realities faced by EMTs working in various settings, including ambulance teams, hospital emergency departments, and specialized operations like SWAT medical support. For part-time EMTs typically working three days a week, the pay reflects a balance between work-life flexibility and income, allowing them to earn a viable income while managing other responsibilities. Entry-level EMTs start at approximately $16.29 per hour, whereas more experienced professionals in the field can earn up to $29.20 per hour. These figures are derived from broader annual salary data, showcasing the diverse earning potential available through this medical career path in Decatur.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.29 | $130.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.97 | $143.75 |
| Median (P50) | $21.19 | $169.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.66 | $189.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.20 | $233.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $21.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.19/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, IL can expect to earn approximately $44,065 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,422. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $847.41 | $3,672 | $44,065 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $508.44 | $2,203 | $26,439 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $338.96 | $1,469 | $17,626 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Decatur) | $21.19 |
| 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 Decatur, IL earn a median of $44,067 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.36% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 1.40% above the Illinois state average of $43,458.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.19/hr = $26,439/year (purchasing power: $27,229).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,065/year (purchasing power: $45,381).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$15.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.19/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Decatur (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Decatur grew 25.4% from $15.97/hr (2021) to $20.02/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.42/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 Decatur 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 Decatur
Considering the part-time dynamics of the emergency medical technician role, a typical EMT working a 24-hour week might bring home around $26,334 annually, while a full-time position would significantly increase earnings. Per-diem EMTs usually command rates between $20 and $32 per hour when working through private agencies. In more demanding environments, such as oil-field medic positions, compensation can escalate to $40-$70 per hour based on remoteness and required expertise. The pay scale also varies depending on whether one is employed by a private ambulance company or a municipal fire department, where union contracts can result in substantially higher wages for cross-trained firefighter-EMTs. When negotiating hourly rates, understanding the trade-off between higher pay with fewer benefits and lower pay with comprehensive insurance can guide EMTs in making informed job choices.
More salary data for Decatur, IL:
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 Decatur. 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 Decatur 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