Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Elizabethtown, KY: $19.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Elizabethtown, KY runs $19.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,068 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Elizabethtown's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,643 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, emergency medical technician hourly pay is projected at a median of $19.75 per hour for 2026, notably below the national median of $22.62 per hour. This rate reflects the significant regional factors impacting pay, particularly relevant for those working part-time or per diem shifts in various settings such as ambulance services, fire engine medical bays, and hospital emergency departments. Entry-level EMTs may earn around $15.10 per hour, while top specialists can command up to $27.66 per hour. These figures, derived from annual salary data, help clarify the financial landscape for EMTs, especially those balancing multiple job opportunities or working in high-stakes environments like oil fields or SWAT operations support.
About the Elizabethtown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.10 | $120.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.59 | $132.74 |
| Median (P50) | $19.75 | $157.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.32 | $170.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.66 | $221.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elizabethtown
Based on $19.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.75/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elizabethtown, KY can expect to earn approximately $41,072 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,695. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elizabethtown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elizabethtown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $789.84 | $3,423 | $41,072 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $473.90 | $2,054 | $24,643 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $315.94 | $1,369 | $16,429 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Elizabethtown) | $19.75 |
| 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 Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $41,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.73% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.30% below the Kentucky state average of $42,034.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.75/hr = $24,643/year (purchasing power: $27,596).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,072/year (purchasing power: $45,993).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$13.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.75/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+56.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Elizabethtown (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Elizabethtown grew 39.8% from $13.35/hr (2021) to $18.66/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.90/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 Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown
Exploring the earning potential for those working part-time in Elizabethtown, a 3-day workweek (24 hours) yields an annual take-home that may significantly differ from full-time earnings. For instance, part-time EMTs could realistically expect less than their full-time counterparts, with many preferring per diem roles that offer varied pay scales based on service demands. Private companies often compensate per diem emergency medical technicians between $20 and $32 per hour, while oil-field medics, depending on the job's remoteness, might earn between $40 and $70 per hour. The wage landscape also varies across employer types; municipal fire departments typically offer higher pay due to union contracts, whereas private ambulance services lag. EMTs must weigh the benefits of stable employment with health insurance against the appeal of higher hourly rates without benefits. Effective negotiation tactics, like leveraging their certifications and highlighting their multi-disciplinary skills, can help land favorable hourly pay in the competitive Elizabethtown market.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Elizabethtown in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Elizabethtown?
Are emergency medical technicians in Elizabethtown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Elizabethtown?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Elizabethtown?
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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 Elizabethtown. 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 Elizabethtown 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