Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Benton, AR: $40,061 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Benton, AR earns a median $40,061/year (≈ $19.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $46,100 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, the current market for emergency medical technicians reflects a significant pay disparity depending on their employer. The 2026 median annual salary is projected at $40,061, which is notably lower than the national median of $47,058, indicating a pay gap of approximately 14.87%. The salary range for EMTs in this area spans from $30,685 at the lower decile to $53,959 at the upper decile, illustrating the variation in earnings based on experience, type of employer, and possibly additional certifications. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, highlight that while Benton offers growth opportunities in this field, it still falls behind many other regions when it comes to overall compensation packages for emergency medical technician pay in Benton, AR.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,685 | $14.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,794 | $16.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,061 | $19.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,225 | $21.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,959 | $25.94 |
Median Salary Position
14.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,274 (2026 est.). At $40,061, the local median is 14.87% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Benton Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Benton median: $40,061/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $40,879 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -14.87% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Benton, AR earn a median of $40,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.87% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $40,879.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $40,061 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,100 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$30,196
2025 BLS Actual
$37,858
2026 Current Est.
$40,061
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Benton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,196 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,226 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,142 | Actual |
| 2024 | $27,242 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,858 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,061 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,393 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $30,196 (2021) to $37,858 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,393 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,197 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $30,685 – $33,794 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,794 – $40,061 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,061 – $44,225 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,225 – $53,959 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Benton
The job market for emergency medical technicians in Benton is currently limited, with only five EMTs employed in the area, highlighting a tight labor pool. Given that the cost-of-living index in Benton stands at 86.9, which is below the national average, the purchasing power of an EMT's salary is effectively diminished compared to regions with higher costs. Employers such as municipal fire departments tend to offer the most competitive wages, largely due to union contracts that elevate firefighter salaries through cross-training as EMTs. Meanwhile, private ambulance companies generally lag behind, reflecting a trend where wages in the sector have not kept pace with inflation. Factors that can drive the salary spread in this market include the employer type, potential for overtime, and opportunities for advancement through EMT-to-paramedic bridge programs. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, actively pursuing additional training or considering shifts in higher-paying sectors like oil-field medical services could be beneficial in this context.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $37,858 for emergency medical techniciansin the Benton metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Benton 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