Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $18.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Lincoln, NE runs $18.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,905 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,741 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) earn a median hourly rate of $18.22, which falls below the national median of $22.62. This discrepancy highlights the financial landscape EMTs face in different work environments, particularly if they only work part-time or as per-diem workers. Typically employed in high-demand settings such as ambulance patient compartments, hospital emergency departments, and event medical tents, EMTs often find themselves with varying compensation based on experience and employer type. Those at the entry-level may start at the lower end of the hourly scale, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $23.66. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly data, showcasing the anticipated trends for 2026.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.22 | $145.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.22 | $145.78 |
| Median (P50) | $18.22 | $145.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.22 | $145.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.66 | $189.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $18.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.22/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $37,902 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,867. With a cost-of-living index of 91.58 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $728.89 | $3,159 | $37,902 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $437.33 | $1,895 | $22,741 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $291.56 | $1,263 | $15,161 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Lincoln) | $18.22 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE earn a median of $37,905 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.45% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 12.00% below the Nebraska state average of $43,074.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.22/hr = $22,741/year (purchasing power: $24,832).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,902/year (purchasing power: $41,387).
CoL index: 91.581 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$13.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.22/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Lincoln (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Lincoln grew 25.4% from $13.73/hr (2021) to $17.22/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.28/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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Examining the part-time earning potential, an EMT working three days a week—approximately 24 hours—can expect to take home around $22,779 annually. In contrast, full-time EMTs will see much higher earnings due to their extended hours. Per-diem employees, including those in specialized roles like oil-field medics, can command impressive hourly rates depending on job nature and location; for example, oil-field medics may earn $40-$70/hr during 14/14 rotations, while tactical event coverage can range from $30-$50/hr. In Lincoln, hourly rates vary significantly across employer types, with private ambulance companies typically offering less than municipal fire departments due to union contracts. EMTs may choose to accept lower pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance. When negotiating, it's wise for hourly workers to emphasize their skills and certifications, such as NREMT registration, to secure a more favorable pay rate.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Lincoln in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Lincoln?
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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 Lincoln. 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, 2-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