Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Oklahoma City, OK: $18.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Oklahoma City, OK runs $18.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,704 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Oklahoma City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,622 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Oklahoma City earn a median hourly rate of $18.13, which falls short of the national median of $22.62. This difference highlights the challenges faced by EMTs in the region, especially those working part-time or per diem shifts, as they navigate various work environments such as ambulance patient compartments, hospital emergency departments, and event medical tents. Entry-level EMTs can expect to start at approximately $14.25, while experienced professionals may earn up to $23.22 per hour. These figures, sourced from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, represent a spectrum of earnings that can impact lifestyle choices, making it essential for workers to understand their compensation in the context of local market conditions.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.25 | $114.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.25 | $114.03 |
| Median (P50) | $18.13 | $145.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.75 | $157.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.22 | $185.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oklahoma City
Based on $18.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.13/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oklahoma City, OK can expect to earn approximately $37,704 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,752. With a cost-of-living index of 90.41 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oklahoma City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oklahoma City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $725.08 | $3,142 | $37,704 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $435.05 | $1,885 | $22,622 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $290.03 | $1,257 | $15,082 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Oklahoma City) | $18.13 |
| 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 Oklahoma City, OK earn a median of $37,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.88% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 9.90% below the Oklahoma state average of $41,846.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.13/hr = $22,622/year (purchasing power: $25,023).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,704/year (purchasing power: $41,704).
CoL index: 90.408 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.13/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Oklahoma City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Oklahoma City grew 21.6% from $14.09/hr (2021) to $17.13/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.18/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 Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City
For those working part-time, a typical schedule of three days per week for 24 hours results in an annual income considerably lower than that of full-time counterparts. EMTs in Oklahoma City can explore opportunities as per diem workers, with billing rates ranging from $20 to $32 per hour through private companies or as event medical responders. In more specialized roles, such as oil-field medics, the compensation can significantly increase to $40-$70 per hour depending on the job's remoteness. The type of employer influences the hourly wage considerably, with private ambulance companies often offering lower pay than municipal fire departments, which can provide unionized benefits. Negotiating for higher rates while considering health insurance and other benefits is common in the field, allowing EMTs to align their compensation packages with their personal and professional needs.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Oklahoma City in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Oklahoma City?
Are emergency medical technicians in Oklahoma City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Oklahoma City?
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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 Oklahoma City. 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, 5-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