Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Hilo, HI: $53,274 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Hilo, HI earns a median $53,274/year (≈ $25.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Hilo's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $44,655 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the emergency medical technician salary in Hilo, Hawaii, is projected to reach a median of $53,274, surpassing the national median of $47,058 by 13.21%. This competitive salary reflects a local range from $42,640 at the 10th percentile to $73,516 at the 90th percentile. The figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, tailored for state-level considerations and regional price adjustments. The opportunities for advancement, particularly through the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway, can significantly enhance earning potential as paramedics typically command higher salaries, often working in roles that pay above the local EMT averages. Given the limited employment of just seven emergency medical technicians in the area, the market offers unique dynamics that can impact job competition and opportunities for professional growth.
About the Hilo Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,129 | $22.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,274 | $25.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,045 | $28.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,516 | $35.34 |
Median Salary Position
13.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilo
In Hilo, HI, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,876 (2026 est.). At $53,274, the local median is 13.21% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilo Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Hilo median: $53,274/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $56,137 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +13.21% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Hilo, HI earn a median of $53,274 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.21% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 5.10% below the Hawaii state average of $56,137.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilo has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilo, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,274 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,655 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$40,155
2025 BLS Actual
$50,344
2026 Current Est.
$53,274
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Hilo (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,155 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,072 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,344 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,274 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,375 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilo metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $40,155 (2021) to $50,344 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,375 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,220 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilo 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) | $42,640 – $46,129 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,129 – $53,274 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,274 – $60,045 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,045 – $73,516 |
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 Hilo
Hilo's job market for emergency medical technicians remains relatively small but stable, with only seven individuals currently holding these positions. While the cost of living index stands at 119.3, slightly above the national average, this can affect take-home purchasing power for EMTs. Employers in Hilo that tend to pay higher salaries include municipal fire departments, known for union contracts that compensate EMTs better than private ambulance services like AMR or GMR. The pay gap often stems from various factors, including employer type, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities. Techniques to maximize pay in this specific market include pursuing advancement through paramedic training, exploring shifts with premium pay options, and seeking roles within higher-paying sectors such as hospital-based EMS or inter-facility transport. Given the unique landscape of Hilo's employment setting, adapting to these factors can greatly impact an individual’s earnings as an emergency medical technician in HI.
More salary data for Hilo, HI:
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 $50,344 for emergency medical techniciansin the Hilo 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 Hilo 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