Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Russellville, AR: $39,522 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Russellville, AR earns a median $39,522/year (≈ $19.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Russellville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $45,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Russellville, AR can expect a median annual salary of $39,522. This figure reflects a substantial gap when compared to the national median of $47,058, pointing to the unique economic factors at play in the local market. Salaries range from a lower percentile of $32,812 to a higher percentile of $54,624, indicating variability based on experience, employer type, and certifications. These estimates are derived from BLS data and accounted for regional price differences, painting a clearer picture of the EMT-to-paramedic bridge timeline in Russellville. As those who aspire to transition into higher roles, recognize that becoming a paramedic can lead to significantly higher earning potential, offering a pathway to elevate overall compensation in this field.
About the Russellville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,812 | $15.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,092 | $16.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,522 | $19.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,478 | $21.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,624 | $26.26 |
Median Salary Position
16.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Russellville
In Russellville, AR, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,812 (2026 est.). At $39,522, the local median is 16.01% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Russellville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Russellville Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Russellville median: $39,522/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Russellville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $40,913 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -16.01% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Russellville, AR earn a median of $39,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.01% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 3.40% below the Arkansas state average of $40,913.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Russellville 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.
Russellville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $39,522 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,480 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,789
2025 BLS Actual
$37,348
2026 Current Est.
$39,522
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Russellville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,789 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,806 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,695 | Actual |
| 2024 | $26,876 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,348 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,522 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,822 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Russellville metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $29,789 (2021) to $37,348 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,822 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,033 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Russellville 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) | $32,812 – $35,092 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,092 – $39,522 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,522 – $44,478 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,478 – $54,624 |
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 Russellville
The job market for emergency medical technicians in Russellville is relatively small, with only six actively employed professionals. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 86.9, this creates a unique environment for those considering the emergency medical technician pay in Russellville, AR. The highest pay typically comes from municipal fire departments that utilize cross-trained firefighter-EMTs, while private ambulance services tend to offer compensation that lags behind, primarily due to inflation and budgetary constraints. Reasons for pay dispersion include shifts in employer structure, which can range from fire departments to industrial settings offering higher wages for specialized medics. Maximizing earnings in this specific market could include seeking overtime opportunities, pursuing the EMT-to-paramedic pathway, and considering unionized positions, which often provide better compensation terms compared to non-union environments.
More salary data for Russellville, 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 $37,348 for emergency medical techniciansin the Russellville 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 Russellville 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