Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Murray, KY: $18.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Murray, KY runs $18.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,305 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Murray's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,587 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Murray, KY, can expect a median hourly rate of $18.90. This figure trails the national median of $22.62, reflecting the regional economic conditions and demand for EMT services. For part-time workers, typically scheduled for about three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a challenging financial scenario, particularly when accounting for the costs of certifications and ongoing training. The hourly wage range in this profession varies significantly: entry-level EMTs earn approximately $16.15, while top earners in Murray can bring in as much as $25.26 per hour. These estimates, derived from annual salary projections based on 2025 BLS data, highlight the earning potential across various environments, including emergency response vehicles, hospitals, and special event medical coverage.
About the Murray 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) | $16.15 | $129.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.02 | $136.13 |
| Median (P50) | $18.90 | $151.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.91 | $167.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.26 | $202.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Murray
Based on $18.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.90/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Murray, KY can expect to earn approximately $39,311 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,679. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Murray.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Murray
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $755.98 | $3,276 | $39,311 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $453.59 | $1,966 | $23,587 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $302.39 | $1,310 | $15,724 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Murray) | $18.90 |
| 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 Murray, KY earn a median of $39,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.48% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 6.50% below the Kentucky state average of $42,037.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.90/hr = $23,587/year (purchasing power: $26,413).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,311/year (purchasing power: $44,021).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.90/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Murray (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $12.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.00/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Murray grew 25.4% from $14.25/hr (2021) to $17.86/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.00/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 Murray 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 Murray
Regarding part-time opportunities, an emergency medical technician working 24 hours a week at $18.90 per hour would earn an annual income of about $23,520, significantly lower than full-time counterparts. In contrast, per diem emergency medical technicians in Murray often command higher premiums, billing $20-$32 per hour with private companies. For those working in specialized areas like oil-field medic roles, pay rates can escalate to $40-$70 per hour depending on the location and working conditions. Hourly rates are affected by employer types; private ambulance services frequently offer lower pay compared to municipal fire departments, where cross-trained EMTs reap benefits from union contracts. EMTs need to weigh their compensation against benefits when considering job offers. For both full-time and part-time roles, negotiating based on available pay rates for the area and understanding the unique financial trade-offs in different work environments are crucial for maximizing their earnings in Murray, KY.
More salary data for Murray, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Murray in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Murray?
Are emergency medical technicians in Murray paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Murray?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Murray?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 Murray. 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 Murray 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