Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Urbandale, IA: $42,556 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Urbandale, IA earns a median $42,556/year (≈ $20.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $47,075 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Emergency medical technicians in Urbandale, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $42,556 in 2026, reflecting a local market that maintains a competitive yet distinct position compared to the national median of $47,058. Salaries in this role range considerably, from $34,488 at the lower end (P10) to $57,773 for those at the higher end of the scale (P90). This wide range highlights the significance of experience and employer type in determining compensation, with figures derived from local estimates based on BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price differences. Progressing to a paramedic role typically offers substantial increases in pay and responsibility, allowing EMTs to leverage their foundational skills into higher-paying opportunities.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,488 | $16.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,197 | $17.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,556 | $20.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,353 | $22.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,773 | $27.78 |
Median Salary Position
9.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,285 (2026 est.). At $42,556, the local median is 9.57% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $42,556/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $44,561 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -9.57% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $42,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.57% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $44,561.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $42,556 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,075 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,076
2025 BLS Actual
$40,215
2026 Current Est.
$42,556
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Urbandale (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,076 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,205 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,094 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,215 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,556 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,032 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $32,076 (2021) to $40,215 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,032 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,956 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $34,488 – $37,197 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,197 – $42,556 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,556 – $47,353 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,353 – $57,773 |
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 Urbandale
In Urbandale, the job market for emergency medical technicians includes approximately 12 individuals currently employed in this capacity, which points to a tight-knit professional community. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, the local economy presents a lower-than-average financial burden, enhancing take-home pay value. Employers that generally offer the highest wages in Urbandale are municipal fire departments and some advanced practices in hospital-based EMS, often designed to enhance operational efficiency and meet local needs. The disparity in wages across various employers can be attributed to several factors, including the type of service (fire department EMS tends to pay better), shift differentials, overtime potential, and opportunities for education advancement, such as transitioning to a paramedic position. To maximize earning potential in this market, EMTs should consider pursuing advanced certifications, networking within the community, and exploring positions that offer substantial financial incentives, such as cross-training or working in higher-demand sectors, like industrial or oil-field medical services.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 $40,215 for emergency medical techniciansin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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