Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $20.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Charlottesville, VA runs $20.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,074 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,251 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlottesville, Virginia, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $20.23, which falls below the national median of $22.62. This hourly rate reflects the financial landscape for EMTs working in various typical settings, such as ambulance patient compartments, fire medical bays, and hospital emergency departments. For part-time workers scheduled for three days a week, this rate translates into a tangible income that can support a flexible work-life balance. Entry-level EMTs in Charlottesville may earn around $17.70 per hour, while the top earners can make as much as $29.07 per hour, according to the 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data. The broad range presents opportunities for both new and seasoned EMTs as they navigate the demands of their roles within the community.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.70 | $141.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.23 | $161.86 |
| Median (P50) | $20.23 | $161.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.38 | $211.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.07 | $232.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $20.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.23/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $42,084 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,279. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $809.31 | $3,507 | $42,084 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $485.59 | $2,104 | $25,251 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $323.72 | $1,403 | $16,834 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Charlottesville) | $20.23 |
| 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 Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $42,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.59% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 10.50% below the Virginia state average of $47,010.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.23/hr = $25,251/year (purchasing power: $25,468).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,084/year (purchasing power: $42,447).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.23/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+16.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Charlottesville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Charlottesville grew 4.3% from $18.33/hr (2021) to $19.12/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.41/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
When considering the earning potential of a part-time emergency medical technician working 24 hours a week, an annual take-home income could hover around $25,202, a stark contrast to full-time earnings. Per diem emergency medical technician pay in Charlottesville often ranges from $20 to $32 per hour, although those involved in event medical services or working in remote oil-field settings might see rates between $30 and $70 per hour, depending on the nature of their assignments. Salaries for EMTs can vary widely based on their employer, with private ambulance services generally offering less than municipal fire departments. This discrepancy leads many EMTs to choose positions that provide a lower hourly wage in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Understanding these workplace dynamics is key, and EMTs can negotiate wages by highlighting their skills and certifications, especially those leading to the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway, which can further enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Charlottesville in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Charlottesville?
Are emergency medical technicians in Charlottesville paid hourly or salary?
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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 Charlottesville. 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