Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Garner, NC: $22.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Garner, NC runs $22.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,479 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Garner's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,892 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Garner, North Carolina, the projected emergency medical technician hourly pay stands at $22.35, slightly below the national hourly median of $22.62. This hourly rate makes the EMT profession a feasible option for both part-time employees working approximately three days a week and those seeking per-diem opportunities. Typical work environments in Garner range from ambulance patient compartments to hospital emergency departments and event venue medical tents. Entry-level technicians might earn as low as $18.19 per hour, while the most experienced can command rates up to $31.35. This range reflects the various skill levels and responsibilities among emergency medical technicians in the area.
About the Garner Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.19 | $145.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.64 | $157.12 |
| Median (P50) | $22.35 | $178.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.44 | $203.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.35 | $250.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garner
Based on $22.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.35/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garner, NC can expect to earn approximately $46,486 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,819. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $893.97 | $3,874 | $46,486 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $536.38 | $2,324 | $27,892 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $357.59 | $1,550 | $18,595 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Garner) | $22.35 |
| 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 Garner, NC earn a median of $46,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.23% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $48,466.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.35/hr = $27,892/year (purchasing power: $29,799).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,486/year (purchasing power: $49,665).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$16.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.35/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Garner (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Garner grew 25.4% from $16.85/hr (2021) to $21.12/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.65/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 Garner 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 Garner
Considering part-time work, emergency medical technicians opting for a three-day workweek (approximately 24 hours) could expect to take home roughly $27,000 annually, compared to full-time earners who benefit from a more stable income. For those interested in per-diem roles, pay rates can vary significantly, with private companies offering $20-$32 per hour. In specialized environments like oil fields, wages can be considerably higher, ranging from $40-$70 for medics on 14/14 rotations depending on their location. Hourly rates may differ significantly across employer types, including private ambulance services, municipal fire departments, and hospital-based EMS. EMTs often face the choice between lower hourly pay with health benefits or higher rates without. Understanding these dynamics can aid in salary negotiations for those preparing to enter or transition within the emergency medical technician field in Garner, NC.
More salary data for Garner, NC:
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 Garner. 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 Garner 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