Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Bettendorf, IA: $42,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Bettendorf, IA earns a median $42,552/year (≈ $20.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Bettendorf's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $47,071 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bettendorf, Iowa, the anticipated median salary for emergency medical technicians in 2026 is projected at $42,552, aligning somewhat lower than the national median of $47,058. The salary range for EMTs in the area stretches from $34,525 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $59,269 at the upper echelon (90th percentile). These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional prices, highlight the local economic context for emergency medical technicians. As professionals increasingly consider the EMT-to-paramedic bridge, understanding the salary implications is crucial, particularly given the earning potential for paramedics compared to EMTs in Bettendorf’s evolving job market.
About the Bettendorf Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,525 | $16.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,189 | $17.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,552 | $20.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,295 | $23.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,269 | $28.50 |
Median Salary Position
9.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bettendorf
In Bettendorf, IA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,744 (2026 est.). At $42,552, the local median is 9.58% below the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Bettendorf: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bettendorf Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Bettendorf median: $42,552/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bettendorf Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $44,557 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -9.58% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Bettendorf, IA earn a median of $42,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.58% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $44,557.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bettendorf has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bettendorf, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $42,552 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,071 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,074
2025 BLS Actual
$40,212
2026 Current Est.
$42,552
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Bettendorf (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,074 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,168 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,202 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,092 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,212 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,029 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bettendorf metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $32,074 (2021) to $40,212 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,029 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,955 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bettendorf 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) | $34,525 – $37,189 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,189 – $42,552 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,552 – $48,295 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,295 – $59,269 |
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 Bettendorf
Currently, the employment landscape for emergency medical technicians in Bettendorf includes around 10 licensed professionals. The local cost-of-living index, sitting at 90.4, suggests that take-home pay factors heavily into lifestyle choices within the region. Among the various employers, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest pay, leveraging firefighter union contracts that considerably benefit cross-trained personnel. Conversely, private ambulance services may lag in compensation, reflecting industry-wide trends where wages have fallen behind inflation. Factors influencing pay disparities include shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and the EMT-to-paramedic pathway. For prospective EMTs, building experience through varied roles can unlock higher wages, especially within event medical services or by transitioning to high-demand industrial positions, contributing to improved emergency medical technician pay in Bettendorf, IA.
More salary data for Bettendorf, IA:
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 $40,212 for emergency medical techniciansin the Bettendorf 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 Bettendorf 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