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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Erie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.27/hr | Projected |
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 (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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 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.
More salary data for Erie, 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 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