Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Cranston, RI: $22.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Cranston, RI runs $22.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,260 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Cranston's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,760 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Cranston, Rhode Island, emergency medical technicians earn a median hourly pay of $22.24, slightly below the national hourly median of $22.62. This hourly rate reflects the demands and responsibilities of EMTs who work in diverse settings such as ambulance crews, fire engine medical bays, and event medical tents. For part-time emergency medical technicians working three days a week, this translates to a flexible work-life balance while still generating significant income. Entry-level EMTs typically start around $17.62, while experienced professionals can command up to $32.07 per hour, illustrating the potential for career advancement and increased earnings within this critical role.
About the Cranston 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) | $17.62 | $140.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.23 | $153.82 |
| Median (P50) | $22.24 | $177.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.71 | $205.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.07 | $256.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cranston
Based on $22.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.24/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cranston, RI can expect to earn approximately $46,266 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,692. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cranston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cranston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $889.73 | $3,856 | $46,266 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $533.84 | $2,313 | $27,760 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $355.89 | $1,542 | $18,506 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Cranston) | $22.24 |
| 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 Cranston, RI earn a median of $46,260 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.20% below the Rhode Island state average of $47,301.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.24/hr = $27,760/year (purchasing power: $27,622).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,266/year (purchasing power: $46,036).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$16.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.24/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Cranston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Cranston grew 25.4% from $16.77/hr (2021) to $21.02/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.54/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 Cranston 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 Cranston
For those considering part-time work in Cranston, a 24-hour week as an emergency medical technician could yield around $26,777 annually, a worthwhile sum for many. However, for those pursuing per diem opportunities, the pay varies significantly; private companies may offer $20 to $32 per hour, whereas roles in oil-field medicine can reach between $40 and $70 per hour, depending on isolation and risk factors. The pay gap is often substantial between municipal fire department EMTs—who tend to earn more due to union contracts—and their counterparts in private ambulance services, where wages have struggled to keep pace with increasing living costs. When negotiating pay, EMTs should consider the value of benefits, as accepting a position for a higher rate without health insurance or paid time off could impact overall job satisfaction and financial security.
More salary data for Cranston, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Cranston. 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 Cranston 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