Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Skokie, IL: $20.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Skokie, IL runs $20.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,487 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Skokie's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,488 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Skokie, the emergency medical technician hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $20.42 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $22.62 for the same profession. This hourly wage presents various opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers across a range of settings, such as ambulance services, fire department medical bays, and event medical tent operations. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the hourly earnings can offer a stable income, although they may still fall below the wages of full-time counterparts. The hourly range for emergency medical technicians in Skokie extends from $16.14 for entry-level positions to $28.68 for top earners, reflecting the varying levels of experience and the demanding environments they operate within.
About the Skokie 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) | $16.14 | $129.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.20 | $137.57 |
| Median (P50) | $20.42 | $163.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.13 | $185.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.68 | $229.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Skokie
Based on $20.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.42/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Skokie, IL can expect to earn approximately $42,480 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,508. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Skokie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Skokie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $816.93 | $3,540 | $42,480 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $490.16 | $2,124 | $25,488 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $326.77 | $1,416 | $16,992 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Skokie) | $20.42 |
| 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 Skokie, IL earn a median of $42,487 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.71% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.20% below the Illinois state average of $43,442.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.42/hr = $25,488/year (purchasing power: $26,249).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,480/year (purchasing power: $43,749).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$15.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.42/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Skokie (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Skokie grew 25.4% from $15.39/hr (2021) to $19.30/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.61/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 Skokie 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 Skokie
Examining the earning potential reveals that a part-time emergency medical technician working 24 hours over three days would earn considerably less annually compared to a full-time position. Per diem emergency medical technician pay in Skokie shows large variability; while many private companies offer rates of $20-$32 per hour, specialized roles such as oil-field medics can command $40-$70 per hour, depending on job location and patient load. There's also a significant pay gap between municipal fire department EMTs and those in private ambulance services, often driven by union contracts that favor the former. Consequently, negotiating salary and benefits becomes essential for EMTs, particularly when balancing higher hourly rates against potential health benefits that may come with full-time employment. Understanding the nuances of employer types, from private ambulance services to event medical coverage, can aid technicians in navigating their career paths effectively.
More salary data for Skokie, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Skokie in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Skokie?
Are emergency medical technicians in Skokie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Skokie?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Skokie?
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 Skokie. 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 Skokie 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