Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Salina, KS: $41,391 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Salina, KS earns a median $41,391/year (≈ $19.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Salina's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $45,535 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Salina, Kansas, are projected to earn a median salary of $41,391, which is significantly lower than the national median of $47,058. The salary range for this occupation in the area spans from $34,445 at the 10th percentile to $54,754 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight a competitive local market for EMTs. Notably, there is a pronounced pay gap between EMTs working for municipal fire departments and those employed in private ambulance services. This disparity is largely due to the enhanced pay rates and benefits provided by unionized fire departments, where cross-trained firefighters can receive significantly more than their counterparts in private EMS.
About the Salina Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,445 | $16.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,813 | $17.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,391 | $19.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,088 | $21.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,754 | $26.33 |
Median Salary Position
12.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salina
In Salina, KS, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,309 (2026 est.). At $41,391, the local median is 12.04% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salina: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salina Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Salina median: $41,391/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $42,760 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -12.04% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Salina, KS earn a median of $41,391 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $42,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salina has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salina, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $41,391 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,535 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,199
2025 BLS Actual
$39,115
2026 Current Est.
$41,391
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Salina (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,199 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,263 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,906 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,115 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,391 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,800 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salina metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $31,199 (2021) to $39,115 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,800 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,601 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salina 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) | $34,445 – $36,813 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,813 – $41,391 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,391 – $45,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,088 – $54,754 |
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 Salina
With just 11 emergency medical technicians employed in Salina, the market remains relatively modest yet stable. The area's cost of living index of 90.9 suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national standard, the purchasing power is somewhat favorable. Employers within Salina, such as municipal fire departments, generally offer the highest compensation, followed by hospital-based EMS and county systems. In contrast, private ambulance companies tend to lag in pay, particularly in the current economic climate where inflation has outpaced wage growth. The gap between the lowest and highest earners in this field is influenced by factors like employer type, shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and additional qualifications such as the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway, which can lead to higher earnings. For those seeking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Salina, pursuing opportunities in fire departments, obtaining advanced certifications, and exploring tactical or industrial medicine roles may provide the best financial rewards.
More salary data for Salina, KS:
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 $39,115 for emergency medical techniciansin the Salina 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 Salina 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