Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Wichita, KS: $39,005 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Wichita, KS earns a median $39,005/year (≈ $18.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $43,852 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.8% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wichita, the projected median annual salary for emergency medical technicians reaches $39,005 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national average of $47,058. This figure reflects a salary range from $30,878 at the lower 10th percentile to $63,016 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures highlight the notable gap in pay between municipal fire department EMTs and their counterparts in private ambulance companies. Fire department EMTs, often cross-trained as firefighters, generally earn 2-3 times more than those working for private services due to union contracts and a more stable funding model, emphasizing the varying compensation structures within Wichita's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,878 | $14.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,243 | $17.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,005 | $18.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,444 | $29.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,016 | $30.30 |
Median Salary Position
17.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,138 (2026 est.). At $39,005, the local median is 17.11% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Wichita median: $39,005/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $42,769 | -8.80% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -17.11% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Wichita, KS earn a median of $39,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.11% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 8.80% below the Kansas state average of $42,769.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita has a cost of living 11.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.946 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $39,005 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,852 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.43% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,260
2025 BLS Actual
$36,860
2026 Current Est.
$39,005
2021–2027 Growth
+41.1%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Wichita (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,005 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,275 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 26.0% from $29,260 (2021) to $36,860 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,275 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,015 (41.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $30,878 – $36,243 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,243 – $39,005 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,005 – $60,444 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,444 – $63,016 |
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 Wichita
Looking at the local employment scenario, approximately 270 emergency medical technicians are working in Wichita, KS. The cost of living index in the area stands at 88.946, which is below the national average, indicating that EMTs might experience relatively better purchasing power compared to some other regions. Among the employers, municipal fire departments offer the most competitive pay, while private ambulance companies tend to lag, adversely impacted by wage stagnation. Factors influencing salary disparities include employer type—industrial medics often earn better than private EMS staff—as well as opportunities such as shift differentials, overtime, and the EMT-to-paramedic advancement pathway. For those looking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Wichita, targeting positions in fire departments or seeking out additional certifications and specialized training can enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Wichita, 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 $36,860 for emergency medical techniciansin the Wichita 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