Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Boston, MA: $25.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Boston, MA runs $25.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,503 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Boston's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.3, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,105 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boston, Massachusetts, the hourly pay for emergency medical technicians is projected to be $25.72 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $22.62 per hour. This favorable rate provides ample opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers, with typical shifts often spanning 24 hours per week or adapting to event-specific demands. Entry-level EMTs may see starting wages around $20.90 per hour, while seasoned professionals can command up to $35.78 per hour, depending on their experience and the nature of their work environment. Positions range from ambulance patient compartments and hospital ED triage areas to event venue medical tents and SWAT support trucks, making the job diverse while offering a stable hourly wage based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.90 | $167.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.25 | $194.03 |
| Median (P50) | $25.72 | $205.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.78 | $222.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.78 | $286.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boston
Based on $25.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.72/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boston, MA can expect to earn approximately $53,508 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,870. With a cost-of-living index of 108.27 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,028.99 | $4,459 | $53,508 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $617.40 | $2,675 | $32,105 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $411.60 | $1,784 | $21,403 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Boston) | $25.72 |
| 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 Boston, MA earn a median of $53,503 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.70% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 10.90% above the Massachusetts state average of $48,244.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.72/hr = $32,105/year (purchasing power: $29,653).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,508/year (purchasing power: $49,422).
CoL index: 108.266 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$18.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.72/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Boston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Boston grew 34.5% from $18.07/hr (2021) to $24.31/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.22/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 Boston 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 Boston
Considering a 24-hour work week, a part-time emergency medical technician in Boston would earn about $31,000 annually, in contrast to full-time counterparts who could earn a significantly higher total. Per-diem opportunities add another dimension to pay potential; while event EMTs at private companies might charge between $20 and $32 per hour, oil-field medics on 14/14 rotations could earn anywhere from $40 to $70 per hour, reflecting the industry's demand for specialized medical support in remote locations. Employers like private ambulance companies, municipal fire departments, and inter-facility transport services offer varied hourly rates, often influenced by union contracts and benefits. Some EMTs opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance, whereas others may pursue higher pay without benefits for flexibility. As negotiations for hourly pay occur, it’s beneficial for these professionals in Boston to advocate for compensation that aligns closely with their skills and responsibilities while remaining knowledgeable about prevailing industry standards.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 Boston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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