Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Galesburg, IL: $19.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Galesburg, IL runs $19.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,227 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Galesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,735 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Galesburg, IL, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) earn an hourly median rate of $19.82, which lags behind the national median of $22.62 for this occupation. This hourly pay reflects a comprehensive environment where EMTs work in various settings, such as ambulance services, fire department medical bays, and hospital emergency departments. For part-time EMTs working three days per week, this hourly rate translates to about 24 hours of work, equating to approximately $1,196 monthly. Per-diem workers in the field may find that earnings can greatly vary, with rates ranging from $15.85 at the lower end, typically for entry-level positions, up to $27.39 for experienced and specialized roles in demanding contexts, like tactical operations or oil-field environments.
About the Galesburg 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) | $15.85 | $126.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.15 | $137.23 |
| Median (P50) | $19.82 | $158.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.31 | $178.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.39 | $219.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galesburg
Based on $19.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.82/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galesburg, IL can expect to earn approximately $41,226 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,784. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $792.80 | $3,435 | $41,226 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $475.68 | $2,061 | $24,735 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $317.12 | $1,374 | $16,490 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Galesburg) | $19.82 |
| 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 Galesburg, IL earn a median of $41,227 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.39% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $43,443.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.82/hr = $24,735/year (purchasing power: $25,474).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,226/year (purchasing power: $42,457).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.82/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Galesburg (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Galesburg grew 25.4% from $14.94/hr (2021) to $18.73/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.97/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 Galesburg 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 Galesburg
Considering the part-time earning potential, an EMT working 24 hours a week in Galesburg could see an annual income of around $15,000 once accounting for tax deductions and other withholdings. In contrast, full-time positions typically yield a more stable income, often offering benefits such as health insurance. Per diem or agency EMTs in the area generally charge higher rates, billing between $20 and $32 per hour through private companies. Moreover, those associated with oil-field jobs often work on a rotation with wages ranging from $40 to $70 per hour, depending on how remote the job site is. In Galesburg, variations in hourly pay arise based on employer type, with private ambulance companies offering lower wages than municipal fire departments, which benefit from union contracts. Emergency medical technicians should weigh the advantages of higher hourly rates without benefits against those positions that provide health insurance, and it’s advisable to negotiate pay based on specific responsibilities and the demand for skilled EMTs in the area, especially given the projected industry growth of 5.82%.
More salary data for Galesburg, 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 Galesburg. 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 Galesburg 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