Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Johnson City, TN: $18.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Johnson City, TN runs $18.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,751 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Johnson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,256 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Johnson City, TN, the projected emergency medical technician hourly pay for 2026 stands at $18.63, significantly lower than the national median of $22.62. For those looking to enter this field or work part-time, such as three days a week, this rate shapes earnings received while working in environments like ambulance patient compartments, fire engine medical bays, or hospital emergency departments. Within Johnson City, hourly pay for emergency medical technicians varies, ranging from $15.23 for entry-level positions to $22.71 for the top earners. Such figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, presenting a clear picture for individuals who may engage in part-time or per-diem work opportunities.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.23 | $121.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.23 | $121.82 |
| Median (P50) | $18.63 | $149.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.09 | $168.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.71 | $181.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnson City
Based on $18.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.63/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnson City, TN can expect to earn approximately $38,761 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,362. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $745.40 | $3,230 | $38,761 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $447.24 | $1,938 | $23,256 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $298.16 | $1,292 | $15,504 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Johnson City) | $18.63 |
| 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 Johnson City, TN earn a median of $38,751 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.65% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 6.50% below the Tennessee state average of $41,445.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.63/hr = $23,256/year (purchasing power: $26,449).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,761/year (purchasing power: $44,082).
CoL index: 87.928 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$17.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.63/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Johnson City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Johnson City grew 2.4% from $17.19/hr (2021) to $17.61/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.72/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 Johnson City 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 Johnson City
The earning potential for a part-time emergency medical technician earning that hourly rate can yield approximately $24,000 annually while working 24 hours a week. In contrast, per-diem emergency medical technicians often see pay around $20 to $32 per hour at private companies, while those in industrial or oil-field roles can command $40 to $70 per hour due to the nature and location of their work. Variations across different types of employment exist in Johnson City; private ambulance services typically offer lower wages compared to municipal fire departments, which can provide higher compensation tied to union contracts. Some technicians may need to make trade-offs between better hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance. For those negotiating such rates, understanding regional market standards and potential benefits can aid in securing favorable pay in their roles.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
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 Johnson City. 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