Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Puyallup, WA: $24.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Puyallup, WA runs $24.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,532 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Puyallup's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,322 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Puyallup, Washington, emergency medical technicians can expect to earn an hourly median pay of $24.30, which surpasses the national median of $22.62. This favorable rate is particularly relevant for those in part-time roles, such as working three days a week in various EMS settings, including fire station medical bays and event medical tents. With an hourly pay range from $19.80 at the lower end to $33.14 for the top earners, professionals in this field can find lucrative opportunities not only in ambulances but also in dynamic environments like SWAT operations or oil-field work. It's important to keep in mind that these hourly rates are informed by projected annual salary data, which allows for a clearer understanding of earning potential tailored to individual work arrangements.
About the Puyallup Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.80 | $158.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.30 | $170.41 |
| Median (P50) | $24.30 | $194.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.60 | $220.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.14 | $265.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Puyallup
Based on $24.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.30/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Puyallup, WA can expect to earn approximately $50,536 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,156. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Puyallup.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Puyallup
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $971.85 | $4,211 | $50,536 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $583.11 | $2,527 | $30,322 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.74 | $1,685 | $20,214 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Puyallup) | $24.30 |
| 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 Puyallup, WA earn a median of $50,532 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.38% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 4.20% below the Washington state average of $52,748.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.30/hr = $30,322/year (purchasing power: $28,233).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,536/year (purchasing power: $47,054).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$18.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.30/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Puyallup (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Puyallup grew 25.4% from $18.31/hr (2021) to $22.96/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.71/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 Puyallup 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 Puyallup
For part-time EMTs working 24 hours a week, the annual earnings can vary significantly compared to full-time workers; those who opt for full-time commitments may benefit from a stable income and additional job security, while part-time staff often enjoy more flexibility. Many per-diem emergency medical technicians in Puyallup find themselves billing between $20 and $32 per hour for private company shifts, while oil-field medics can command upward of $40 to $70 per hour, depending on their work conditions. Additionally, hourly rates differ across various employer types, with municipal fire departments often offering more competitive pay due to union contracts compared to private ambulance services. For those interested in this line of work, it’s vital to weigh the trade-offs of lower hourly rates with benefits against the higher pay that comes without health insurance. Furthermore, negotiating for hourly rates can be an essential skill, especially given the variances in pay structures among different employers in Puyallup, Washington.
More salary data for Puyallup, WA:
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 Puyallup. 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 Puyallup 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