Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Cedar Falls, IA: $22.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Cedar Falls, IA runs $22.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,013 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Cedar Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,209 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, the hourly pay for emergency medical technicians stands at a median of $22.60. This figure is slightly lower than the national median hourly wage of $22.62, signaling modest alignment with broader trends across the country. For those in the field, this pay rate offers valuable insights for both part-time and per-diem work scenarios. Many emergency medical technicians work in various demanding environments such as ambulance patient compartments, fire engine medical bays, and event venue medical tents. With an hourly pay range starting from $17.13 at the lower end to $30.08 for more experienced technicians, Cedar Falls presents an accessible entry point for newcomers while providing competitive compensation for seasoned professionals.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.13 | $137.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.25 | $162.03 |
| Median (P50) | $22.60 | $180.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.78 | $198.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.08 | $240.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Falls
Based on $22.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.60/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Falls, IA can expect to earn approximately $47,015 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,124. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $904.13 | $3,918 | $47,015 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $542.48 | $2,351 | $28,209 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $361.65 | $1,567 | $18,806 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Cedar Falls) | $22.60 |
| 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 Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $47,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.10% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.60% above the Iowa state average of $44,520.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.60/hr = $28,209/year (purchasing power: $31,204).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,015/year (purchasing power: $52,007).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$17.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.60/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Cedar Falls (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Cedar Falls grew 25.4% from $17.04/hr (2021) to $21.36/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.92/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 Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls
The potential annual earnings for a part-time emergency medical technician working three days a week can vary significantly when compared to full-time positions. Assuming a typical schedule of 24 hours each week, a part-time EMT could expect to take home around $28,299 annually, considerably less than their full-time counterparts. In terms of per-diem opportunities, pay for emergency medical technicians may fall between $20 and $32 per hour with private companies, particularly during events or special assignments. For example, those working as oil-field medics may see rates ranging from $40 to $70 per hour depending on their location. Different employers in Cedar Falls also influence rates, where municipal fire departments often pay more due to union agreements, while private ambulance companies lag behind. Some technicians might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, whereas others may chase higher pay rates without such perks. Therefore, negotiation strategies focusing on essential factors, including shifts, benefits, and location, can significantly impact earnings for emergency medical technicians in Cedar Falls and throughout Iowa.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
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 Cedar Falls. 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 Cedar Falls 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