Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Chester, PA: $19.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Chester, PA runs $19.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,462 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Chester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,273 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chester, Pennsylvania, emergency medical technicians earn a median hourly rate of $19.45, which falls below the national median of $22.62. This disparity reflects the unique economic landscape of Chester, where hourly wages can vary significantly based on the setting. Part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians working in environments like ambulance services, event medical tents, or hospital emergency departments typically have the flexibility to schedule their hours over three days a week, offering an appealing work-life balance. The hourly pay in Chester ranges from $16.15 for entry-level positions to as high as $25.68 for experienced technicians. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 data, projected to 2026 for accuracy in understanding the current earnings potential for EMTs in this area.
About the Chester 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) | $16.15 | $129.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.27 | $138.16 |
| Median (P50) | $19.45 | $155.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.16 | $169.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.68 | $205.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chester
Based on $19.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.45/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chester, PA can expect to earn approximately $40,455 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,340. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $777.99 | $3,371 | $40,455 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $466.79 | $2,023 | $24,273 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $311.20 | $1,349 | $16,182 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Chester) | $19.45 |
| 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 Chester, PA earn a median of $40,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.02% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $41,887.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.45/hr = $24,273/year (purchasing power: $24,921).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,455/year (purchasing power: $41,535).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.45/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Chester (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Chester grew 25.4% from $14.66/hr (2021) to $18.38/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.58/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 Chester 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 Chester
As part-time emergency medical technicians in Chester, those working three days a week—around 24 hours—might take home approximately $24,960 annually if they maintain consistent hours at the median wage. In contrast, full-time EMTs can expect a considerably higher annual income. The hourly pay landscape varies across employer types, where per-diem emergency medical technicians at private companies may earn between $20 and $32 per hour, while oil-field medics can see earnings of $40 to $70 per hour based on their deployment and location. Additionally, municipal fire departments often offer better wages and benefits for cross-trained firefighter-EMTs compared to private ambulance services. As individuals consider which path to pursue, some may opt for lower hourly rates in positions that offer health insurance and steady benefits, while others may prefer the attractive hourly pay without benefits at private entities. Knowing the specifics of each type of employer can be a valuable negotiation tool for those in the field.
More salary data for Chester, 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 Chester. 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 Chester 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