Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Aurora, IL: $42,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Aurora, IL earns a median $42,917/year (≈ $20.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $44,199 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Aurora, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $42,917, which is approximately 8.80% lower than the national median of $47,058. Salaries for these professionals range from $32,630 at the lower end (P10) to $60,744 at the higher end (P90), indicating a diverse pay scale based on experience and employer type. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations in Aurora. For EMTs aspiring to advance their careers, the pathway to becoming a paramedic not only enhances responsibilities but also significantly increases earning potential, making it an attractive option for practitioners in the area.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,630 | $15.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,917 | $20.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,560 | $23.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,744 | $29.21 |
Median Salary Position
8.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, IL, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,114 (2026 est.). At $42,917, the local median is 8.8% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Aurora median: $42,917/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,439 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -8.80% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Aurora, IL earn a median of $42,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.80% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 1.20% below the Illinois state average of $43,439.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aurora, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $42,917 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,199 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,349
2025 BLS Actual
$40,557
2026 Current Est.
$42,917
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Aurora (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,349 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,452 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,504 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,272 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,557 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,415 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $32,349 (2021) to $40,557 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,415 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,066 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $32,630 – $35,280 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,280 – $42,917 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,917 – $48,560 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,560 – $60,744 |
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 Aurora
In Aurora, the job market for emergency medical technicians shows some stability, with approximately 44 EMTs currently employed. The local cost of living index is 97.1, slightly below the national average, which suggests that while salaries may be lower compared to national figures, living costs are also more manageable in this area. Among local employers, fire departments tend to offer the highest pay due to established union contracts, often outpacing private ambulance services like AMR and GMR, which have lagged behind inflation. Factors driving the wage disparity include employer type, shift differentials, overtime, and the EMT-to-paramedic bridge, which can further elevate earning potential. For those looking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Aurora, it is advisable to consider cross-training opportunities and roles in higher-paying sectors such as municipal services or industrial settings, where compensation often reflects the more demanding nature of the work.
More salary data for Aurora, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Aurora?
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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 $40,557 for emergency medical techniciansin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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