Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Dover, DE: $47,682 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Dover, DE earns a median $47,682/year (≈ $22.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $48,901 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Delaware state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Dover, Delaware, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $47,682, slightly above the national average of $47,058 for the same year. Salaries in Dover will range from a low of $41,058 to a high of $49,556, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. This represents a notable increase in compensation for EMTs, particularly for those who progress to the paramedic level, where the added responsibilities and advanced skills can significantly elevate earning potential. The ability to transition to a paramedic role not only enhances career prospects but also yields higher wages, making it an attractive pathway for those in the field. As the local job market for EMTs maintains strength, the demand for qualified personnel continues, reinforcing their important role in public safety.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,058 | $19.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,333 | $19.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,682 | $22.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,513 | $23.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,556 | $23.82 |
Median Salary Position
1.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $8,498 (2026 est.). At $47,682, the local median is 1.33% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Dover Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Dover median: $47,682/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $47,874 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +1.33% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Dover, DE earn a median of $47,682 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.33% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 0.40% below the Delaware state average of $47,874.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 2.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 97.507 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $47,682 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,901 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.56% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$33,750
2025 BLS Actual
$45,060
2026 Current Est.
$47,682
2021–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Dover (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $33,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,682 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,458 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 33.5% from $33,750 (2021) to $45,060 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,458 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,708 (49.51%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $41,058 – $41,333 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,333 – $47,682 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,682 – $49,513 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,513 – $49,556 |
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 Dover
The job market for emergency medical technicians in Dover employs approximately 160 individuals, indicating a steady demand for services in the area. Living in a region with a cost-of-living index of 97.507 means that EMTs in Dover experience a slightly lower cost of living than the national average, which can enhance their purchasing power. Among local employers, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest wages, often utilizing union contracts that provide enhanced pay scales compared to private ambulance companies, which have fallen behind in recent years. However, specific sectors like industrial and oil-field medics can command even greater hourly wages ranging from $50 to $70, depending on the role. Factors such as shift differentials, overtime, and the opportunity for advancement through training—like becoming a paramedic—impact the disparities in earnings. For those seeking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Dover, pursuing certifications and exploring employment with fire departments or industrial settings may yield the best financial outcomes.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Dover, DE in 2026?
Is Dover, DE a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Dover?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Dover?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in Dover?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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 $45,060 for emergency medical techniciansin the Dover 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
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