Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Des Plaines, IL: $20.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Des Plaines, IL runs $20.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,016 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Des Plaines's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,211 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Plaines, the projected emergency medical technician hourly pay for 2026 stands at $20.20, which is significantly below the national median of $22.62. This median hourly rate provides a framework for understanding the income potential for part-time and per-diem workers, particularly since many EMTs work in various settings like ambulance patient compartments, fire engine medical bays, and hospital emergency departments. With a range from $15.63 at the lower end to $27.98 at the top, there are opportunities for entry-level EMTs, while more experienced professionals can secure higher wages depending on their specific roles and responsibilities. It is essential to consider that these hourly figures are derived from annual salary estimates and reflect the market dynamics in Des Plaines.
About the Des Plaines 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) | $15.63 | $125.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.74 | $133.93 |
| Median (P50) | $20.20 | $161.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.60 | $180.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.98 | $223.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Plaines
Based on $20.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.20/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Plaines, IL can expect to earn approximately $42,018 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,241. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Plaines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Plaines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $808.04 | $3,502 | $42,018 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $484.82 | $2,101 | $25,211 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $323.22 | $1,401 | $16,807 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Des Plaines) | $20.20 |
| 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 Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $42,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.71% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $43,450.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.20/hr = $25,211/year (purchasing power: $25,964).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,018/year (purchasing power: $43,273).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$15.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.20/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Des Plaines (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Des Plaines grew 25.4% from $15.23/hr (2021) to $19.09/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.38/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 Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines
For part-time EMTs working three days per week, equating to 24 hours, the annual earnings are approximately $25,193, providing a more accessible earning perspective compared to full-time positions. With the rise of per-diem emergency medical technician pay in Des Plaines, workers can often charge rates that range from $20 to $32 per hour based on their employer. Furthermore, specialized roles, such as oil-field medics, can command substantially higher pay between $40 and $70 per hour depending on the location. The hourly rates across various employers in Des Plaines—ranging from private ambulance services to municipal fire departments—illustrate a wage disparity influenced by union contracts and benefits offerings. EMTs often face a trade-off between hourly wages and job benefits, making it crucial to negotiate terms effectively, especially considering the competitive nature of local jobs in this field. Understanding the landscape and having a clear strategy will prove beneficial during discussions about wages and working conditions.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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 Des Plaines. 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 Des Plaines 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