Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Rocky Mount, NC: $20.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Rocky Mount, NC runs $20.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,836 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Rocky Mount's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,700 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rocky Mount, North Carolina, emergency medical technicians earn a median hourly rate of $20.59, which is notably lower than the national average of $22.62. This hourly wage reflects the typical compensation for EMTs working in various environments such as ambulance services, hospital emergency departments, and event medical coverage. For part-time and per-diem workers who may only be on duty a few days a week, this rate translates into essential income that supports flexible schedules. Entry-level EMTs start around $16.63 per hour, while experienced personnel can earn as much as $22.86 per hour. These figures are drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, suggesting that while Rocky Mount offers competitive rates within the state, it still trails the national average overall for EMT hourly pay.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.63 | $133.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.61 | $140.87 |
| Median (P50) | $20.59 | $164.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.17 | $169.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.86 | $182.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rocky Mount
Based on $20.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.59/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rocky Mount, NC can expect to earn approximately $42,833 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,711. With a cost-of-living index of 88.01 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rocky Mount.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rocky Mount
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $823.70 | $3,569 | $42,833 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $494.22 | $2,142 | $25,700 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $329.48 | $1,428 | $17,133 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Rocky Mount) | $20.59 |
| 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 Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $42,836 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.97% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 11.60% below the North Carolina state average of $48,457.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.59/hr = $25,700/year (purchasing power: $29,200).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,833/year (purchasing power: $48,667).
CoL index: 88.012 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$15.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.59/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Rocky Mount (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Rocky Mount grew 25.4% from $15.52/hr (2021) to $19.46/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.79/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 Rocky Mount 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 Rocky Mount
Evaluating the earning potential for EMTs reveals interesting dynamics, especially for those choosing a part-time path. A 3-day workweek, totaling 24 hours, can yield around $21,000 annually at the median rate. However, temporary or per-diem roles often present more lucrative opportunities; event-based EMTs can charge between $20 to $32 per hour, while specialized oil-field medics command rates ranging from $40 to $70 per hour based on location and demand. Different employers—ranging from private ambulance services to county EMS systems—affect how hourly wages are structured. Some EMTs willingly accept lower pay in exchange for comprehensive benefits, while others pursue higher hourly rates but sacrifice job security and health coverage. For those negotiating pay in Rocky Mount, understanding the variety of employer offerings and being aware of the specifics of contractual agreements can lead to better compensation packages tailored to individual needs.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, NC:
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 Rocky Mount. 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