Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Reading, PA: $22.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Reading, PA runs $22.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,667 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Reading's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,997 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Reading, Pennsylvania, the projected median hourly pay for emergency medical technicians is $22.43, slightly below the national median of $22.62. This pay scale provides insight into the earnings potential for both full-time and part-time EMTs in the region, allowing for flexibility in work hours. Typically, EMTs may work in varied environments such as ambulance patient compartments, fire engine medical bays, and event venue medical tents. The hourly wage ranges from $18.66 for entry-level positions to $26.46 for the top earners, indicating a potential for growth in this critical role based on experience and location within the healthcare framework.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.66 | $149.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.86 | $150.86 |
| Median (P50) | $22.43 | $179.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.20 | $193.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.46 | $211.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Reading
Based on $22.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.43/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Reading, PA can expect to earn approximately $46,662 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,921. With a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Reading.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Reading
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $897.35 | $3,889 | $46,662 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $538.41 | $2,333 | $27,997 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $358.94 | $1,555 | $18,665 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Reading) | $22.43 |
| 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 Reading, PA earn a median of $46,667 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.83% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 11.40% above the Pennsylvania state average of $41,891.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.43/hr = $27,997/year (purchasing power: $28,845).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,662/year (purchasing power: $48,076).
CoL index: 97.06 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.43/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+65.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Reading (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Reading grew 47.5% from $14.37/hr (2021) to $21.20/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.74/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 Reading 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 Reading
For those considering part-time work, an EMT scheduled for three days a week, totaling roughly 24 hours, can anticipate substantial take-home earnings compared to full-time roles. In Reading, many per-diem emergency medical technicians find themselves earning between $20 and $32 an hour with private agencies, while those in oil-field roles can command between $40 to $70 an hour, particularly in remote areas. Employment across various sectors, such as private ambulance services, municipal fire departments, and specialized event coverage, reflects diverse hourly rate structures. EMTs must weigh benefits against higher pay; some may opt for lower hourly wages that include health insurance, while others prefer the potentially higher earnings available through per-diem roles or private contracts that lack such benefits. For those working in Reading, negotiating hourly rates effectively involves understanding local demand and the distinct pay characteristics of different employers, ensuring they optimize their earning potential.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Reading in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Reading?
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How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Reading?
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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 Reading. 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