Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Bristol, RI: $21.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Bristol, RI runs $21.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,770 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,862 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bristol, Rhode Island, emergency medical technician hourly pay is projected to be $21.52 in 2026, a figure slightly below the national median of $22.62 per hour. For part-time EMTs working roughly three days per week, this translates to an approximate biweekly take-home of around $1,080. Per-diem workers, who might operate in various settings such as ambulance services, event medical tents, or hospital emergency departments, can expect to see hourly pay within the wider range of $17.01 to $29.21, depending on their experience and the demand for services. This means entry-level positions may start on the lower end of the spectrum, while seasoned professionals can earn substantially more, especially as they gain experience and certifications, such as NREMT.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.01 | $136.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.37 | $146.96 |
| Median (P50) | $21.52 | $172.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.90 | $183.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.21 | $233.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $21.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.52/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, RI can expect to earn approximately $44,769 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,829. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $860.95 | $3,731 | $44,769 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $516.57 | $2,238 | $26,862 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $344.38 | $1,492 | $17,908 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Bristol) | $21.52 |
| 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 Bristol, RI earn a median of $44,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $47,276.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.52/hr = $26,862/year (purchasing power: $26,728).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,769/year (purchasing power: $44,547).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$16.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.52/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Bristol (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Bristol grew 25.4% from $16.22/hr (2021) to $20.34/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.78/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
For those considering part-time EMT work, choosing to work just three days a week typically nets an annual income that could reach roughly $28,080, which is a significant reduction compared to full-time salaries. Employed as per-diem emergency medical technicians, workers in Bristol can also see varying compensation, with rates typically falling between $20 and $32 per hour for private companies. In more specialized roles, such as oil-field medics, pay can dramatically increase to between $40 and $70 per hour, especially given the remote nature of such positions. The hourly pay for EMTs also fluctuates based on the type of employer; municipal fire departments often provide better hourly rates due to union contracts, in contrast to private ambulance companies where wages have historically lagged behind. EMTs should strategically consider their options: greater hourly pay without benefits versus lower pay offered alongside health insurance. Negotiating for better rates can often hinge on the demand for specific skills or the ability to work flexible hours, making market awareness invaluable.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Bristol in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Bristol?
Are emergency medical technicians in Bristol paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Bristol?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Bristol?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Rhode Island
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 Bristol. 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 Bristol 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