Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Oak Park, IL: $20.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Oak Park, IL runs $20.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,145 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Oak Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,884 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Emergency medical technicians in Oak Park, Illinois, can expect an hourly rate of approximately $20.74, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $22.62. This rate is particularly relevant for those considering part-time positions or per-diem work, which is common in various settings such as ambulance services, hospital emergency departments, and onsite medical services at events. For EMTs working three days a week, this translates to a substantial but modest income that can support a stable lifestyle, especially given the city's below-average cost of living index of 97.1. Entry-level technicians will start around $15.26 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn as much as $28.51 per hour, highlighting a significant range within the field in Oak Park.
About the Oak Park 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) | $15.26 | $122.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.30 | $146.37 |
| Median (P50) | $20.74 | $165.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.07 | $184.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.51 | $228.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Park
Based on $20.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.74/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Park, IL can expect to earn approximately $43,141 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,889. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $829.63 | $3,595 | $43,141 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $497.78 | $2,157 | $25,884 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $331.85 | $1,438 | $17,256 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Oak Park) | $20.74 |
| 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 Oak Park, IL earn a median of $43,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.32% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $43,449.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.74/hr = $25,884/year (purchasing power: $26,657).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,141/year (purchasing power: $44,429).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$15.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.74/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Oak Park (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Oak Park grew 25.4% from $15.63/hr (2021) to $19.60/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.95/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 Oak Park 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 Oak Park
Industry dynamics in Oak Park can present contrasting earning opportunities for emergency medical technicians. For those working part-time, a schedule of three days per week—totaling about 24 hours—would equate to a gross annual income of roughly $26,000. This salary differs significantly from full-time work, where EMTs often find themselves in a financially advantageous position. For per-diem roles, especially in private companies or for event EMTs, pay can range from $20 to $32 per hour, escalating to $40 to $70 per hour for oil-field medics in remote areas. Positions across various employer types, such as municipal fire departments or private ambulance services, feature distinct pay scales, with fire department EMTs notably receiving higher wages due to union protections. Moreover, some EMTs might opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for comprehensive benefits, leading to complex decisions around work-life balance. Negotiating hourly rates can often hinge on these variations, highlighting the importance of full awareness of the local job market in Oak Park.
More salary data for Oak Park, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Oak Park in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Oak Park?
Are emergency medical technicians in Oak Park paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Oak Park?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Oak Park?
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 Oak Park. 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 Oak Park 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