Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Bethlehem, PA: $21.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Bethlehem, PA runs $21.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,443 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Bethlehem's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,664 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The estimated hourly pay for emergency medical technicians in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, stands at $21.37, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $22.62. This pay structure can affect both full-time and part-time workers, influencing their decisions on employment types. For part-time EMTs working three days a week, which typically amounts to around 24 hours, this hourly rate serves as a solid foundation for those pursuing careers in diverse environments, from bustling hospital emergency departments to event venue medical tents. The hourly range for EMTs in Bethlehem extends from approximately $16.37 for entry-level positions to about $29.50 for experienced technicians, reflecting the variability based on skills, certifications, and employer type. These figures are derived from projected annual salaries and provide a glimpse into the financial landscape for emergency medical technicians operating in a range of settings.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.37 | $130.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.12 | $144.93 |
| Median (P50) | $21.37 | $170.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.85 | $190.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.50 | $236.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bethlehem
Based on $21.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.37/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bethlehem, PA can expect to earn approximately $44,439 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,638. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bethlehem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bethlehem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $854.60 | $3,703 | $44,439 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $512.76 | $2,222 | $26,664 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $341.84 | $1,481 | $17,776 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Bethlehem) | $21.37 |
| 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 Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $44,443 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.56% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 6.10% above the Pennsylvania state average of $41,888.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.37/hr = $26,664/year (purchasing power: $27,375).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,439/year (purchasing power: $45,626).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$16.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.37/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Bethlehem (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Bethlehem grew 25.4% from $16.10/hr (2021) to $20.19/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.61/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 Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem
For part-time EMTs in Bethlehem, the potential earnings can vary significantly compared to full-time roles. Working 24 hours a week at the projected hourly rate translates to about $27,000 annually, a figure that can fluctuate based on specific schedules and overtime opportunities. In contrast, per diem emergency medical technicians often command different pay scales, ranging from $20 to $32 per hour at private agencies, while those in high-demand industries, such as oil fields, may earn upwards of $40 to $70 for 14-day rotational shifts. The pay disparities extend across various types of employment, with private ambulance companies generally offering lower wages compared to municipal fire departments, where cross-trained EMTs often receive significantly better compensation. As such, some technicians may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, prioritizing stability over higher pay. For those focused on agency work, negotiation strategies that emphasize experience and flexibility can make a significant difference in securing more favorable hourly rates.
More salary data for Bethlehem, PA:
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 Bethlehem. 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 Bethlehem 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