Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Bristol, CT: $55,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Bristol, CT earns a median $55,050/year (≈ $26.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $51,019 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an emergency medical technician in Bristol, Connecticut, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $55,050. With a range stretching from $40,429 at the 10th percentile to $78,924 at the 90th percentile, these figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations. When looking at the broader context, Bristol's EMT pay exceeds the national median, which is projected to be $47,058 for the same year, illustrating a healthy job market for those in this critical role. Moreover, the industry is anticipating steady growth, with an annual rate of 5.82%, making this an attractive field for both current and aspiring EMTs.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,429 | $19.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,515 | $23.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,050 | $26.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,364 | $30.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,924 | $37.95 |
Median Salary Position
16.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, CT, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,495 (2026 est.). At $55,050, the local median is 16.98% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Bristol median: $55,050/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $55,494 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +16.98% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Bristol, CT earn a median of $55,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.98% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $55,494.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,050 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,019 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$41,494
2025 BLS Actual
$52,022
2026 Current Est.
$55,050
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Bristol (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $41,494 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,909 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,541 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,097 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,022 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,254 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $41,494 (2021) to $52,022 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,254 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,760 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $40,429 – $48,515 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,515 – $55,050 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,050 – $63,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,364 – $78,924 |
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 Bristol
With just 13 emergency medical technicians employed in Bristol, the local job market remains relatively niche, yet the demand for skilled personnel continues to be strong. The cost of living in the area, indexed at 107.9, indicates a slightly above-average economic environment, which can impact purchasing power. Employers that typically offer higher wages include municipal fire departments and hospital-based EMS systems, where compensation structures often benefit from union contracts and additional training opportunities. Factors such as the type of employer, shift differentials, and the path to becoming a paramedic significantly contribute to the pay disparity within the industry. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Bristol, pursuing advanced certifications, seeking positions in higher-paying public service roles, and considering the EMT-to-paramedic bridge can enhance one's prospects in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Bristol?
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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 $52,022 for emergency medical techniciansin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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