Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Johnston, RI: $21.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Johnston, RI runs $21.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,733 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Johnston's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,443 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Emergency Medical Technicians in Johnston, Rhode Island, earn a median hourly rate of $21.99, which is slightly lower than the national median of $22.62. This wage provides a baseline for those working part-time or per diem in diverse settings, such as ambulance services, fire departments, hospital emergency departments, and various event medical services. Given the hourly range for EMTs in Johnston extends from $18.28 for entry-level workers to $30.36 for the highest earners, professionals can find varying levels of compensation depending on their experience and the specific demands of their role. These figures reflect estimates derived from annual salary data, illustrating the financial landscape for EMTs across the state.
About the Johnston 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) | $18.28 | $146.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.05 | $152.38 |
| Median (P50) | $21.99 | $175.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.79 | $198.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.36 | $242.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnston
Based on $21.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.99/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnston, RI can expect to earn approximately $45,738 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,387. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Johnston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $879.58 | $3,811 | $45,738 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $527.75 | $2,287 | $27,443 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $351.83 | $1,525 | $18,295 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Johnston) | $21.99 |
| 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 Johnston, RI earn a median of $45,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.82% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $47,294.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.99/hr = $27,443/year (purchasing power: $27,306).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,738/year (purchasing power: $45,510).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$16.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.99/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Johnston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Johnston grew 25.4% from $16.57/hr (2021) to $20.78/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.27/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 Johnston 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 Johnston
In a part-time setting, an emergency medical technician working three days a week for 24 hours could expect to bring home around $27,626 annually, which is significantly less than full-time earnings. For per-diem or agency EMTs, compensation varies widely, often ranging from $20 to $32 per hour in private settings, with oil-field medics enjoying rates as high as $70 per hour for more remote assignments. The disparity in hourly rates is influenced by the type of employer—private ambulance services may pay less when compared to municipal fire departments that offer cross-trained firefighter-EMTs greater financial security due to union contracts. Some EMTs may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others might prioritize higher wages without benefits. Negotiating hourly pay can be challenging in Johnston, so understanding the industry standards and presenting a strong case based on experience and contributions can provide an advantage in discussions with potential employers.
More salary data for Johnston, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Johnston in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Johnston?
Are emergency medical technicians in Johnston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Johnston?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Johnston?
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 Johnston. 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 Johnston 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