EMT Salary

Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Erie, PA: $19.15 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Erie, PA runs $19.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,841 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Erie's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,903 per year.

$39,841
Median Annual Salary
$19.15/hr
Hourly Rate
$34,444
Entry Level (P10)
$48,021
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Rate in Erie, PA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Erie, PA emergency medical technician hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Erie, Pennsylvania, the emergency medical technician hourly pay is projected at $19.15 for 2026, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $22.62. This discrepancy can impact part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians who typically work in diverse environments such as ambulance services, fire stations, hospital emergency departments, event medical tents, and remote oil fields. For those opting for part-time positions, the ability to earn decent wages while balancing personal commitments is appealing, especially when entry-level workers may earn as low as $16.56 per hour and more experienced professionals can make up to $23.09. With approximately 190 emergency medical technicians operating in Erie, this hourly rate reflects a significant variation in compensation based on experience and specific job settings as outlined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), using data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.

Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$16.56$132.49
Lower Range (P25)$18.01$144.08
Median (P50)$19.15$153.23
Upper Range (P75)$22.65$181.16
Top Earners (P90)$23.09$184.72

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Erie

Based on $19.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a emergency medical technician in Erie earning $19.15/hr would make approximately $22,984 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $39,839 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$22,984Reduced (32 hr/wk)$30,645Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$39,839

At $19.15/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Erie, PA can expect to earn approximately $39,839 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,984. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Erie.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$153.23
per 8hr shift
$766.14
per week
$3,320
per month
$39,839
per year

Schedule Comparison in Erie

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$766.14$3,320$39,839
Part-Time (24 hrs)$459.68$1,992$23,903
Per Diem (16 hrs)$306.45$1,328$15,936

Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Emergency Medical Technician (Erie)$19.15
Paramedic (National Avg)$27.18
Nursing Assistant (National Avg)$18.62
Firefighter (National Avg)$26.89
Medical Assistant (National Avg)$20.25
Horizontal bar chart comparing emergency medical technician median salary in Erie ($39,841) with Pennsylvania average ($41,894) and the US national median ($47,058).Erie$39,841Pennsylvania Avg$41,894-4.90%US National$47,058-15.34%

Emergency Medical Technicians in Erie, PA earn a median of $39,841 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.34% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 4.90% below the Pennsylvania state average of $41,894.

Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $19.15/hr = $23,903/year (purchasing power: $26,282).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,839/year (purchasing power: $43,803).

CoL index: 90.95 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2021 BLS Actual

$17.61/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$18.10/hr

2026 Current Est.

$19.15/hr

2021–2027 Growth

+15.1%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Erie (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for emergency medical technicians in Erie. Baseline $17.61/hr in 2025, projected to $20.27/hr by 2027.$14$16$18$19$2120212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$17.61$14.76$17.00$16.76$18.10$19.15$20.27
YearHourly RateStatus
2021$17.61/hrActual
2022$14.76/hrActual
2023$17.00/hrActual
2024$16.76/hrActual
2025$18.10/hrActual
2026(current)$19.15/hrEstimated
2027$20.27/hrProjected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Erie grew 2.8% from $17.61/hr (2021) to $18.10/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.27/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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Erie

For an emergency medical technician working part-time in Erie, taking on a 3-day work schedule, typically amounting to 24 hours weekly, can yield a different take-home compared to full-time EMT roles. While earning a median hourly wage, part-time technicians might see an estimated annual revenue falling under that of their fully employed counterparts, potentially around $29,888 before taxes. Those considering per diem work have a range of opportunities; per diem emergency medical technician pay in Erie usually falls between $20 to $32 per hour with private companies, while specialized roles like oil-field medics can command between $40 and $70 per hour depending on the region's remoteness. Salary variations arise based on the type of employer, with private ambulance services typically offering lower wages compared to municipal fire departments, which secure better pay through union contracts. Thus, many EMTs face a tough choice between higher hourly pay without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance. Understanding the market is crucial for effective salary negotiations, particularly in Erie where employers range from private ambulance companies to hospital-based EMS and event medical services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Erie in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Erie is $19.15/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.82% annual growth). Rates range from $16.56 at entry level (10th percentile) to $23.09 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 15.3% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Erie?

A part-time emergency medical technician working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Erie earns approximately $1,992/month, or $23,903/year at the median hourly rate of $19.15. Many emergency medical technicians prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are emergency medical technicians in Erie paid hourly or salary?

The majority of emergency medical technicians in Erie are paid hourly at a median rate of $19.15/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $39,839/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Erie?

A full-time emergency medical technician working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Erie earns approximately $39,839/year at the median hourly rate of $19.15. This is 15.3% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $48,027/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Erie?

Part-time and per diem emergency medical technicians in Erie sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $23.09/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

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 Erie. 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

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