Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, NH: $23.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Portsmouth, NH runs $23.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,449 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,067 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Portsmouth, New Hampshire, emergency medical technicians earn a median hourly rate of $23.29, which is notably higher than the national median of $22.62. This hourly compensation suggests that part-time workers, such as those scheduled for three shifts a week, can earn a respectable income while remaining flexible. Per-diem emergency medical technicians working in varied settings—from ambulance compartments to event medical tents—can expect to be compensated within a wide range, with entry-level positions starting around $18.91 and more experienced technicians potentially earning up to $30.01 per hour. This pay structure reflects local factors, including the estimated costs of living in Portsmouth, which are above the national average.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.91 | $151.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.28 | $162.20 |
| Median (P50) | $23.29 | $186.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.12 | $200.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.01 | $240.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $23.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.29/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, NH can expect to earn approximately $48,445 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,949. With a cost-of-living index of 107.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $931.64 | $4,037 | $48,445 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $558.98 | $2,422 | $29,067 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $372.66 | $1,615 | $19,378 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Portsmouth) | $23.29 |
| 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 Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $48,449 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.96% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $50,467.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.29/hr = $29,067/year (purchasing power: $27,090).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,445/year (purchasing power: $45,149).
CoL index: 107.3 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$17.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.29/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Portsmouth (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Portsmouth grew 27.2% from $17.31/hr (2021) to $22.01/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.65/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
The earning potential for emergency medical technicians can vary significantly depending on their work arrangements. A technician working part-time for three days per week would bring home $28,602 annually, contrasting sharply with a full-time EMT who could earn substantially more. Per-diem or agency EMTs frequently enjoy flexible schedules but may bill $20 to $32 per hour, while those serving in more specialized roles—like oil-field medics on a 14/14 rotation—often command between $40 and $70 per hour, influenced by the nature of their assignments and the remoteness of the locations. Wages for EMTs in Portsmouth can fluctuate based on their employer type, with private ambulance services typically paying lower rates than municipal fire departments, which benefit from union-negotiated salaries. In this context, some technicians might accept lower hourly pay to secure health insurance and other benefits, while others choose the flexibility of contract work. Those negotiating hourly rates in Portsmouth should emphasize relevant experience and certifications, such as NREMT registration, to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Portsmouth, NH:
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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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