Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Hawaii: $68,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median emergency medical technician pay sits at $68,073/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2042. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,060 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Urban Honolulu ($67,050), Honolulu ($56,452), Kaneohe ($52,719).

In Hawaii, the projected average median salary for emergency medical technicians in 2026 is $68,073, compared to the national median of $47,058, resulting in a 44.7% increase over the national average. Urban Honolulu offers the highest pay at $70,952, while Hilo presents the lowest salaries at $53,274, creating a salary gap of $17,678. This disparity is driven by the cost of living, demand for services, and funding available for emergency services in different regions. Hawaii-specific factors include state licensing requirements, which demand EMTs to complete approved education programs and pass certification exams. The scope of practice laws affect what EMTs are allowed to do on the ground, impacting their responsibilities and potential salary. Moreover, the demand for emergency medical services is increasing, with a projected growth rate of 5.82% annually, which suggests a strengthening job market. Top cities projected for 2026 salaries are Urban Honolulu at $70,952, followed by Honolulu at $59,738, Kaneohe at $55,787, Mililani Town at $55,687, and Kailua at $55,653. As demand continues to grow, the outlook for EMT positions in Hawaii remains favorable, offering a viable career path for those interested in the field.
Hawaii Emergency Medical Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $40,894 (lowest entry-level) to $89,545 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii emergency medical technicians earn 44.66% more than the national median (+$21,015/year difference).
Hawaii Emergency Medical Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Emergency Medical Technician salaries in Hawaii range from $52,328 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,689 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $68,073. The Hawaii median is $21,015 above the US national median of $47,058. The average hourly rate is $32.73/hr. Approximately 585 emergency medical technicians are employed across 10 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$58,640
2025 BLS Actual
$64,329
2026 Current Est.
$68,073
2021–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Hawaii (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $58,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,679 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,718 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,329 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,035 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 9.7% from $58,640 (2021) to $64,329 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,035 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,395 (22.84%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hilo | $53,274 |
| Kahului | $53,357 |
| Pearl City | $54,489 |
| Waipahu | $55,012 |
| East Honolulu | $55,034 |
Best Value Cities for Emergency Medical Technicians in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for emergency medical technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $70,952 | 110.961 | $63,943 |
| Honolulu | $59,738 | 119.3 | $50,074 |
| Kaneohe | $55,787 | 119.3 | $46,762 |
| Mililani Town | $55,687 | 119.3 | $46,678 |
| Kailua | $55,653 | 119.3 | $46,650 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $52,328 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $68,073 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $87,689 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Honolulu | $70,952 |
| 2 | Honolulu | $59,738 |
| 3 | Kaneohe | $55,787 |
| 4 | Mililani Town | $55,687 |
| 5 | Kailua | $55,653 |
| 6 | East Honolulu | $55,034 |
| 7 | Waipahu | $55,012 |
| 8 | Pearl City | $54,489 |
| 9 | Kahului | $53,357 |
| 10 | Hilo | $53,274 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore emergency medical technician hourly pay in Hawaii cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new emergency medical technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced emergency medical technicians.
Explore More Emergency Medical Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Hawaii in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for emergency medical technicians in Hawaii?
How does Hawaii emergency medical technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level emergency medical technician salary in Hawaii?
How many emergency medical technicians are employed in Hawaii?
Which Hawaii city offers the best value for emergency medical technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 emergency medical technician compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more emergency medical technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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