Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Kahului, HI: $53,357 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Kahului, HI earns a median $53,357/year (≈ $25.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Kahului's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $44,725 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Kahului, HI, the average compensation for emergency medical technicians is projected to reach $53,357 in 2026. This positions the local salary above the national median of $47,058, reflecting a 13.39% premium for EMTs in the area. Salaries range from $42,615 at the 10th percentile to $72,032 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance in pay across different roles and employers. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price disparities, demonstrate the potential for lucrative opportunities, particularly for those who may transition into specialized industrial roles or find employment with fire departments that often contribute to higher pay scales.
About the Kahului Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,615 | $20.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,113 | $21.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,357 | $25.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,004 | $28.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,032 | $34.63 |
Median Salary Position
13.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kahului
In Kahului, HI, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,417 (2026 est.). At $53,357, the local median is 13.39% above the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Kahului: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kahului Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Kahului median: $53,357/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kahului Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $56,165 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +13.39% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Kahului, HI earn a median of $53,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.39% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 5.00% below the Hawaii state average of $56,165.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kahului has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kahului, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,357 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,725 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$40,217
2025 BLS Actual
$50,422
2026 Current Est.
$53,357
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Kahului (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,217 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,141 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,424 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,422 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,357 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,462 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kahului metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $40,217 (2021) to $50,422 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,462 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,245 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kahului 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) | $42,615 – $45,113 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,113 – $53,357 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,357 – $59,004 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,004 – $72,032 |
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 Kahului
Looking at the job market dynamics in Kahului, there are currently five emergency medical technicians employed in the area, illustrating a relatively niche market. The cost of living index stands at 119.3, indicating that while salaries may be higher than average, the purchasing power may be impacted by these elevated living costs. Employers such as municipal fire departments typically offer more competitive wages compared to private ambulance services, influenced by union contracts and comprehensive benefits. The disparity between salaries can also arise from the nature of the role; those working in industrial sectors may command higher hourly rates, making it imperative for EMTs to seek opportunities for overtime or advanced training, such as the EMT-to-paramedic pathway, to maximize their earnings. Thus, finding the right employer in Kahului is crucial for optimizing compensation in this evolving job landscape.
More salary data for Kahului, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Kahului, HI in 2026?
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Kahului?
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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 $50,422 for emergency medical techniciansin the Kahului 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 Kahului 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