Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Bay City, MI: $19.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Bay City, MI runs $19.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,005 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Bay City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,603 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Bay City, Michigan, the hourly pay for emergency medical technicians is projected to be $19.71 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $22.62. This discrepancy means that for part-time EMTs working three days a week, with an average shift of 24 hours, earnings can be considerably tighter compared to their counterparts in other regions. Many EMTs find themselves in varied work settings, from ambulance service environments to hospital emergency departments and even event medical tents, which further influences their hourly take-home. The hourly pay in Bay City ranges from $15.62 for entry-level positions to approximately $26.37 for experienced technicians, reflecting a range of skill levels and working conditions. These figures serve as estimates derived from annual salary data and are useful for understanding the local market’s expectations.
About the Bay City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.62 | $124.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.95 | $135.62 |
| Median (P50) | $19.71 | $157.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.65 | $173.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.37 | $210.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bay City
Based on $19.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.71/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bay City, MI can expect to earn approximately $41,006 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,657. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bay City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bay City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $788.57 | $3,417 | $41,006 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $473.14 | $2,050 | $24,603 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $315.43 | $1,367 | $16,402 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Bay City) | $19.71 |
| 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 Bay City, MI earn a median of $41,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.70% below the Michigan state average of $41,294.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.71/hr = $24,603/year (purchasing power: $26,399).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,006/year (purchasing power: $43,998).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.71/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Bay City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Bay City grew 25.4% from $14.86/hr (2021) to $18.63/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.86/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 Bay City 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 Bay City
When considering part-time earnings, a 3-day workweek for an EMT might yield around $30,305 annually, which can be substantially less than a full-time salary. The per-diem situation reflects even greater variability; per diem emergency medical technicians can command between $20 to $32 per hour through private companies, while roles in oil-field medic capacities might fetch $40 to $70 per hour, depending on location. Hourly rates differ significantly based on employment type in Bay City; for example, municipal fire departments offer advantages for EMTs through collective bargaining agreements that can lead to higher income, particularly for those cross-trained as firefighters. Conversely, private ambulance services often lag in wages. EMTs frequently weigh the pros and cons of accepting lower hourly wages with benefits versus higher pay without coverage. For those looking to negotiate, knowledge of the local pay standards and potential benefits packages can be crucial.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Bay City. 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 Bay City 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