Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Joliet, IL: $43,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Joliet, IL earns a median $43,180/year (≈ $20.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $44,470 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Joliet, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $43,180, reflecting local economic conditions and projected growth. Salaries in this field range from $33,235 for the lowest earners to $61,643 for those in the top percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price disparities. While this median aligns with Joliet's balanced job market for EMTs, it falls behind the national average of $47,058. As EMTs bridge the gap towards paramedic certification, those seeking to advance their careers can unlock opportunities for higher pay, especially in situations where advanced skills are rewarded.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,235 | $15.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,180 | $20.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,170 | $23.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,643 | $29.64 |
Median Salary Position
8.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,408 (2026 est.). At $43,180, the local median is 8.24% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Joliet median: $43,180/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,440 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -8.24% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Joliet, IL earn a median of $43,180 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.24% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $43,440.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $43,180 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,470 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,547
2025 BLS Actual
$40,805
2026 Current Est.
$43,180
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Joliet (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,547 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,657 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,722 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,519 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,805 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,693 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $32,547 (2021) to $40,805 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,693 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,146 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $33,235 – $36,740 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,740 – $43,180 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,180 – $49,170 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,170 – $61,643 |
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 Joliet
The job market for emergency medical technicians in Joliet is relatively stable, with approximately 25 EMTs currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 97.1, which suggests that the purchasing power for EMT salaries may be slightly more favorable compared to the national average. In Joliet, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest pay among employers, particularly for cross-trained firefighter-EMTs who benefit from union contracts. In contrast, private ambulance companies generally provide lower compensation due to their lagging pay structure. The variation in earnings largely depends on employer type, opportunities for overtime, and the potential for promotional pathways from EMT to paramedic. For those looking to enhance their earnings, pursuing additional certifications and aligning with higher-paying employers could prove beneficial in this regional market.
More salary data for Joliet, IL:
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 $40,805 for emergency medical techniciansin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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