Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Waipahu, HI: $55,012 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Waipahu, HI earns a median $55,012/year (≈ $26.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Waipahu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $46,112 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Waipahu, Hawaii, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $55,012, significantly above the national median of $47,058. This salary reflects a competitive pay scale, with earnings ranging from $42,390 at the 10th percentile to $77,510 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments suggest that prospective EMTs can anticipate fulfilling career pathways, notably the EMT-to-paramedic bridge. This progression often leads to higher compensation and expanded responsibilities, enhancing the overall employment landscape for those engaged in emergency medical services within the community.
About the Waipahu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,390 | $20.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,421 | $22.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,012 | $26.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,560 | $28.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,510 | $37.26 |
Median Salary Position
16.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waipahu
In Waipahu, HI, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,120 (2026 est.). At $55,012, the local median is 16.9% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waipahu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waipahu Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Waipahu median: $55,012/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waipahu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $56,134 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +16.90% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Waipahu, HI earn a median of $55,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.90% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $56,134.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waipahu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waipahu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,012 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,112 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$41,465
2025 BLS Actual
$51,986
2026 Current Est.
$55,012
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Waipahu (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $41,465 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,879 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,113 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,986 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,012 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,213 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waipahu metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $41,465 (2021) to $51,986 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,213 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,748 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waipahu 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) | $42,390 – $46,421 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,421 – $55,012 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,012 – $59,560 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,560 – $77,510 |
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 Waipahu
The local job market for emergency medical technicians shows a modest presence, with only nine EMTs employed in Waipahu, HI. The cost of living index in this area stands at 119.3, indicating that while salaries appear attractive, they may also be adjusting to higher living expenses. Among the different employers, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest pay, often due to established union contracts, contrasting with private ambulance companies where wages tend to lag behind inflation. Factors such as shift differentials and overtime opportunities can further enhance earnings, making it essential for EMTs to seek positions that allow for such benefits. Additionally, pursuing advancement to paramedic status can significantly increase earning potential, creating a pathway that more EMTs should consider as they begin to navigate their careers in Waipahu.
More salary data for Waipahu, 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 $51,986 for emergency medical techniciansin the Waipahu 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 Waipahu 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