Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Billings, MT: $19.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Billings, MT runs $19.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,815 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Billings's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,485 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Billings, Montana, the median hourly pay for emergency medical technicians is projected to be $19.62 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $22.62. This difference indicates that EMTs in the area might find their compensation less competitive than their counterparts nationwide, shaping the financial landscape for those considering part-time work or per-diem shifts. Part-time EMTs working three days a week can gauge their earnings based on this hourly rate; for instance, working 24 hours a week would land them around $23,000 annually. Entry-level technicians may start with hourly wages of $16.06, whereas more experienced professionals could earn up to $24.56, illustrating the potential for advancement as skills and experience accumulate.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.06 | $128.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.03 | $152.21 |
| Median (P50) | $19.62 | $156.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.13 | $169.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.56 | $196.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Billings
Based on $19.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.62/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Billings, MT can expect to earn approximately $40,808 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,543. With a cost-of-living index of 93.53 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Billings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Billings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $784.76 | $3,401 | $40,808 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $470.86 | $2,040 | $24,485 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $313.90 | $1,360 | $16,323 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Billings) | $19.62 |
| 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 Billings, MT earn a median of $40,815 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.27% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 9.80% below the Montana state average of $45,249.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.62/hr = $24,485/year (purchasing power: $26,179).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,808/year (purchasing power: $43,632).
CoL index: 93.526 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.62/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Billings (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Billings grew 25.4% from $14.79/hr (2021) to $18.54/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.76/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 Billings 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 Billings
When assessing the overall earning potential for EMTs in Billings, it's essential to differentiate between employment types and pay structures. Part-time EMTs, working in a typical 3-day schedule, may earn around $23,000 annually if they don't transition to full-time positions. Meanwhile, per diem emergency medical technicians can expect to bill between $20 to $32 per hour when working with private companies, with specialties such as oil-field medics offering lucrative rates of $40 to $70 per hour depending on location and job demands. In the diverse employment scene of Billings, from private ambulance services to municipal fire departments, hourly rates can vary significantly. While private EMS providers like AMR and GMR typically offer lower wages, fire department EMT roles often include union benefits that enhance overall compensation. For those in negotiations, understanding the nuances of benefit trade-offs and hourly rates can empower EMTs in Billings to pursue opportunities that best fit their personal and professional goals.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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 Billings. 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, 3-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