Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Ottumwa, IA: $19.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Ottumwa, IA runs $19.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,440 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Ottumwa's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,868 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ottumwa, Iowa, emergency medical technicians can expect an hourly rate of $19.93, which is notably lower than the national median of $22.62. This pay reflects the economic factors and cost of living in the area, which currently sits below the national average. For part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians working in various settings such as ambulance services, hospital emergency departments, and event medical tents, these hourly earnings can significantly affect their lifestyle and job satisfaction. The hourly range for EMTs in Ottumwa varies, with entry-level positions starting at around $16.85 and top earners potentially making up to $26.44, offering a potential path for increased earnings with experience and specialized skills.
About the Ottumwa 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) | $16.85 | $134.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.81 | $142.48 |
| Median (P50) | $19.93 | $159.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.92 | $175.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.44 | $211.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ottumwa
Based on $19.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.93/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ottumwa, IA can expect to earn approximately $41,446 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,911. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ottumwa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ottumwa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $797.04 | $3,454 | $41,446 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $478.22 | $2,072 | $24,868 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $318.81 | $1,382 | $16,578 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Ottumwa) | $19.93 |
| 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 Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $41,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.94% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $44,559.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.93/hr = $24,868/year (purchasing power: $27,508).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,446/year (purchasing power: $45,847).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$15.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.93/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Ottumwa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Ottumwa grew 25.4% from $15.02/hr (2021) to $18.83/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.09/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 Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa
When considering part-time work, an emergency medical technician who works three days a week for 24 hours (or 72 hours monthly) could expect to take home approximately $12,435 annually, highlighting a stark contrast to a full-time EMT's earnings. Per diem and agency work can offer more lucrative opportunities, with rates typically ranging from $20 to $32 per hour for private companies, while jobs in more demanding conditions, such as oil-field medic roles on a 14/14 rotation, can command $40 to $70 per hour. Hourly rates also vary significantly across different employer types in Ottumwa, such as private ambulance services, municipal fire departments, and event medical services, with many emergency medical technicians choosing between higher rates without health benefits or lower rates with medical perks. Negotiating pay effectively in this context may require an understanding of local compensation trends and a willingness to balance financial benefits against personal needs for job security and health coverage.
More salary data for Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa. 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 Ottumwa 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