Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Grand Forks, ND: $20.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Grand Forks, ND runs $20.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,538 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Grand Forks's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,122 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Grand Forks, North Dakota, the emergency medical technician hourly pay is projected to reach $20.93 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $22.62. This rate has significant implications for part-time workers and those seeking per-diem placements, particularly in environments such as ambulance services, hospital emergency departments, and event medical tents. For someone working a typical part-time schedule of three days a week, they can expect to earn approximately $502.32 weekly or about $26,075 annually. The hourly pay range reflects the experience levels within the field, with entry-level EMTs earning around $15.75 and seasoned professionals making up to $28.55. It’s essential to consider these figures when assessing potential job opportunities as various sectors, such as fire departments or private ambulance services, can offer different hourly compensation.
About the Grand Forks Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.75 | $125.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.53 | $140.27 |
| Median (P50) | $20.93 | $167.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.61 | $188.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.55 | $228.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Forks
Based on $20.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.93/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Forks, ND can expect to earn approximately $43,537 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,117. With a cost-of-living index of 92.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Forks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Forks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $837.25 | $3,628 | $43,537 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $502.35 | $2,177 | $26,122 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $334.90 | $1,451 | $17,415 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Grand Forks) | $20.93 |
| 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 Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $43,538 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.48% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.60% above the North Dakota state average of $43,278.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.93/hr = $26,122/year (purchasing power: $28,394).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,537/year (purchasing power: $47,323).
CoL index: 92 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$15.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.93/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Grand Forks (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Grand Forks grew 25.4% from $15.78/hr (2021) to $19.78/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.15/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 Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks
Shifting focus to part-time earning potential, an emergency medical technician working in Grand Forks for 24 hours a week can expect to take home a lower income compared to full-time counterparts. While agency positions might offer varied per diem emergency medical technician pay in Grand Forks, ranging from $20 to $32 per hour, lucrative opportunities also exist in specialized roles. For instance, oil-field medics in remote areas could earn between $40 and $70 per hour, significantly boosting overall income. In contrast, EMTs operating within municipal fire departments, often benefiting from union contracts, may see higher compensation while enjoying health benefits. Negotiating hourly rates can also vary depending on employer type, as private ambulance companies can lag behind fire departments and county EMS in pay. New EMTs should be prepared to discuss the trade-off between a higher hourly wage with no benefits versus a lower rate that includes health insurance, taking into consideration their long-term career pathway and potential EMT-to-paramedic bridge opportunities.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Grand Forks in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Grand Forks?
Are emergency medical technicians in Grand Forks paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Grand Forks?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Grand Forks?
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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 Grand Forks. 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 Grand Forks 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