Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Roanoke, VA: $21.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Roanoke, VA runs $21.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,116 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Roanoke's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,465 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Roanoke, Virginia, the projected emergency medical technician hourly pay stands at $21.21, which is slightly below the national median of $22.62 per hour. This figure reflects the average earnings for EMTs working in various settings, including ambulance patient compartments, fire engine medical bays, and event medical tents. With an hourly range stretching from $18.15 for entry-level positions to $26.68 for experienced professionals, this pay scale allows for flexibility in work schedules. Part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians often find opportunities that align with their availability, facilitating shifts that cater to the dynamic nature of emergency services. These hourly rates are based on official 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, ensuring that they provide an accurate snapshot of what EMTs can expect in Roanoke.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.15 | $145.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.67 | $165.33 |
| Median (P50) | $21.21 | $169.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.79 | $190.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.68 | $213.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Roanoke
Based on $21.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.21/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Roanoke, VA can expect to earn approximately $44,109 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,448. With a cost-of-living index of 93.62 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Roanoke.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Roanoke
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $848.25 | $3,676 | $44,109 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $508.95 | $2,205 | $26,465 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $339.30 | $1,470 | $17,644 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Roanoke) | $21.21 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA earn a median of $44,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.25% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 6.20% below the Virginia state average of $47,032.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.21/hr = $26,465/year (purchasing power: $28,270).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,109/year (purchasing power: $47,116).
CoL index: 93.618 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$13.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.21/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+61.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Roanoke (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Roanoke grew 43.9% from $13.93/hr (2021) to $20.04/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.44/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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke
Focusing on the financial realities of working as an emergency medical technician in Roanoke, individuals employed part-time—say three days a week—can expect to make around $26,535 based on working 24 hours weekly. In contrast, full-time EMTs might earn significantly more, emphasizing the potential earnings disparity for those seeking flexible hours. Per diem emergency medical technician pay in Roanoke can vary greatly; for instance, while agency EMTs may bill between $20 and $32 per hour, oil-field medics can command rates of $40 to $70, especially in more remote locations. Different employer types, ranging from private ambulance services like AMR and GMR to local fire departments and hospital-based EMS, often feature divergent pay structures. Many EMTs find themselves negotiating between lower hourly rates with the security of health benefits and higher rates that may come without any perks. To effectively engage in negotiations, understanding local market trends and being informed about competitive rates for EMTs in various sectors can provide leverage in securing a fair compensation.
More salary data for Roanoke, VA:
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 Roanoke. 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