Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Sioux City, IA: $44,138 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Sioux City, IA earns a median $44,138/year (≈ $21.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Sioux City's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $51,054 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux City, IA, the 2026 median salary for emergency medical technicians stands at $44,138, which is approximately 6.21% lower than the national median of $47,058. The salary range for EMTs in the area varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $37,651 and experienced professionals capable of earning up to $61,884, according to the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This diverse pay structure highlights the opportunities for advancement within the profession, especially for those considering the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway, which not only enhances skills but also significantly increases earning potential. Given that Sioux City’s workforce includes about 80 emergency medical technicians, the job market appears stable, providing various avenues for career progression within the emergency medical services sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,651 | $18.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,862 | $18.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,138 | $21.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,074 | $25.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,884 | $29.76 |
Median Salary Position
6.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux City
In Sioux City, IA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,233 (2026 est.). At $44,138, the local median is 6.21% below the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Sioux City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux City Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Sioux City median: $44,138/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $44,538 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -6.21% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Sioux City, IA earn a median of $44,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.21% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.90% below the Iowa state average of $44,538.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux City has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 86.454 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $44,138 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,054 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.67% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$35,290
2025 BLS Actual
$41,710
2026 Current Est.
$44,138
2021–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Sioux City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $35,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,138 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,706 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux City metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 18.2% from $35,290 (2021) to $41,710 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,706 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,416 (32.35%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City 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) | $37,651 – $37,862 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,862 – $44,138 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,138 – $52,074 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,074 – $61,884 |
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 Sioux City
The job market for emergency medical technicians in Sioux City benefits from a cost-of-living index of 86.454, which is below the national average, potentially increasing the purchasing power of local EMTs. Among potential employers, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest compensation compared to private ambulance services, reflecting the pay disparities between unionized firefighter positions and private sector jobs. Various factors influence the salary ranges for EMTs in this region, including employer type, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities. For example, those working in industrial settings or county EMS systems often enjoy better pay than those in private ambulance companies, where wages have lagged behind inflation. To maximize earnings in Sioux City, aspiring EMTs should consider pursuing the paramedic training pathway, which could open doors to higher-paying roles, while also keeping an eye out for opportunities in unionized environments.
More salary data for Sioux City, 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 $41,710 for emergency medical techniciansin the Sioux City 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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