Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Elmhurst, IL: $19.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Elmhurst, IL runs $19.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,113 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Elmhurst's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,669 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elmhurst, Illinois, the hourly compensation for emergency medical technicians stands at a median rate of $19.77. This figure is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $22.62, presenting a distinct cost of living challenge in the area. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this rate can translate to a steady income while working in varied settings like hospital emergency departments or private event medical services. The pay for entry-level positions starts at around $15.72 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach up to $26.51 per hour, reflecting the wide-ranging responsibilities and skills that EMTs must possess. These estimates are shaped by annual salary projections and reveal the financial realities facing those in this essential profession.
About the Elmhurst 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) | $15.72 | $125.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.04 | $136.30 |
| Median (P50) | $19.77 | $158.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.76 | $174.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.51 | $212.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elmhurst
Based on $19.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.77/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elmhurst, IL can expect to earn approximately $41,116 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,721. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elmhurst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elmhurst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $790.69 | $3,426 | $41,116 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $474.41 | $2,056 | $24,669 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $316.27 | $1,371 | $16,446 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Elmhurst) | $19.77 |
| 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 Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $41,113 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.63% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $43,460.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.77/hr = $24,669/year (purchasing power: $25,406).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,116/year (purchasing power: $42,344).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.77/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Elmhurst (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Elmhurst grew 25.4% from $14.90/hr (2021) to $18.68/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.92/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 Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst
Analyzing the financial prospects for emergency medical technicians in Elmhurst reveals intriguing dynamics, especially for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. An EMT working 24 hours a week might take home approximately $25,000 annually, significantly less than if employed full-time. Meanwhile, per-diem emergency medical technicians often earn between $20 to $32 per hour working private events, while roles in oil-field medic positions can command even higher rates, ranging from $40 to $70 per hour. Variability in compensation is evident across different employer types, such as municipal fire departments, which frequently offer benefits and higher salaries due to union contracts, compared to private ambulance companies where wages have lagged significantly behind inflation. Thus, many EMTs find themselves balanced between lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits versus higher hourly pay without such perks. Negotiating pay in Elmhurst might depend on presenting credentials effectively, understanding market rates, and weighing the trade-offs of benefits against higher pay in direct-care roles.
More salary data for Elmhurst, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Elmhurst in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Elmhurst?
Are emergency medical technicians in Elmhurst paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Elmhurst?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Elmhurst?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Elmhurst. 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 Elmhurst 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