Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Oak Park, IL: $43,145 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Oak Park, IL earns a median $43,145/year (≈ $20.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Oak Park's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $44,434 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Emergency medical technicians in Oak Park, Illinois, earn a median annual salary of $43,145 in 2026. This figure sits below the national median of $47,058, reflecting a difference in local economic conditions and the specific demands of the job market. The pay range for EMTs in Oak Park spans from $31,735 at the 10th percentile to $59,288 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while entry-level positions may offer modest compensation, there are opportunities for substantial growth, particularly for those who choose to advance to paramedic certifications. These estimates are informed by projections based on 2025 BLS data and regional economic factors, highlighting the importance of understanding how local employment conditions affect earnings.
About the Oak Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,735 | $15.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,061 | $18.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,145 | $20.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,988 | $23.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,288 | $28.51 |
Median Salary Position
8.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Park
In Oak Park, IL, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,553 (2026 est.). At $43,145, the local median is 8.32% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Park Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Oak Park median: $43,145/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,449 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -8.32% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Oak Park, IL earn a median of $43,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.32% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $43,449.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Park 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.
Oak Park, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $43,145 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,434 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,520
2025 BLS Actual
$40,772
2026 Current Est.
$43,145
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Oak Park (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,693 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,486 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,772 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,145 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,656 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Park metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $32,520 (2021) to $40,772 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,656 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,136 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Park 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) | $31,735 – $38,061 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,061 – $43,145 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,145 – $47,988 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,988 – $59,288 |
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 Oak Park
The local job market for emergency medical technicians stands at a modest size, with only 10 EMTs reported as employed in the Oak Park area. This creates a competitive environment, especially given the city's cost-of-living index of 97.1, suggesting that purchasing power can be tight. Top employers among the local landscape include municipal fire departments, which typically offer higher salaries due to union contracts, compared to private ambulance companies that generally pay less. Understanding the factors influencing salary ranges, such as employer types and potential overtime opportunities, is crucial for maximizing earnings in this field. EMTs considering career progression should explore the EMT-to-paramedic bridge, as advanced training not only enhances skill sets but also significantly boosts potential earnings in their respective roles.
More salary data for Oak Park, 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 $40,772 for emergency medical techniciansin the Oak Park 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 Oak Park 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