Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Ithaca, NY: $21.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Ithaca, NY runs $21.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,138 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Ithaca's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $20.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,492 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ithaca, New York, the projected hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in 2026 is $21.23, which is slightly below the national median of $22.62. For part-time workers, such as those covering shifts three days a week, this hourly pay means a manageable income while allowing flexibility in their schedules. Per-diem opportunities abound in various settings, including ambulance services, emergency departments, and events, providing EMTs a chance to supplement their income or gain diverse experiences. The hourly pay range varies significantly among professionals in Ithaca, starting at $20.44 for entry-level positions and going up to $27.59 for top earners, according to the latest figures sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.44 | $163.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.23 | $169.82 |
| Median (P50) | $21.23 | $169.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.05 | $184.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.59 | $220.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ithaca
Based on $21.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.23/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ithaca, NY can expect to earn approximately $44,153 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,473. With a cost-of-living index of 103.32 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ithaca.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ithaca
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $849.10 | $3,679 | $44,153 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $509.46 | $2,208 | $26,492 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $339.64 | $1,472 | $17,661 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Ithaca) | $21.23 |
| 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 Ithaca, NY earn a median of $44,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.21% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 3.40% below the New York state average of $45,691.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.23/hr = $26,492/year (purchasing power: $25,641).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,153/year (purchasing power: $42,736).
CoL index: 103.317 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$14.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.23/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+51.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Ithaca (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Ithaca grew 35.1% from $14.85/hr (2021) to $20.06/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.46/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 Ithaca 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 Ithaca
When considering full-time versus part-time work, an emergency medical technician working 24 hours a week in Ithaca would take home significantly less than a full-time counterpart earning a steady income, highlighting the financial trade-offs associated with part-time employment. In terms of per diem roles, EMTs can earn varying rates depending on their employer, with private agencies typically paying between $20 and $32 per hour, while specialized settings like oil-field medic positions can see compensation rise to $40-$70 per hour. Hours may also overlap with municipal roles, where cross-trained firefighter EMTs may earn significantly more due to union contracts. Understanding the local pay structure can help emergency medical technicians negotiate better wages, particularly when weighing the benefits of health insurance against higher hourly rates without benefits. Whether you're gravitating towards private ambulance companies like AMR and GMR, municipal fire departments, or emergency services for large events, knowing where to focus your efforts could enhance overall job satisfaction and financial well-being in Ithaca's healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
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 Ithaca. 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