Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $41,068 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Elizabethtown, KY earns a median $41,068/year (≈ $19.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Elizabethtown's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $45,989 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, the projected median annual salary for emergency medical technicians stands at $41,068 for 2026, which is about 12.73% lower than the national median of $47,058. This salary range varies significantly, from $31,418 for the lowest 10% (P10) to $57,545 for the highest 10% (P90). These numbers reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price disparities, revealing a competitive but challenged wage market for EMTs in the area. The disparity in pay is particularly pronounced between fire department EMTs and those employed by private ambulance services, underscoring the need for prospective EMTs in Elizabethtown to evaluate their career paths carefully, particularly in light of the higher earnings typically associated with fire departments due to union contracts.
About the Elizabethtown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,418 | $15.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,518 | $16.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,068 | $19.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,362 | $21.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,545 | $27.66 |
Median Salary Position
12.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, KY, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,127 (2026 est.). At $41,068, the local median is 12.73% below the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Elizabethtown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabethtown Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Elizabethtown median: $41,068/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabethtown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $42,034 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -12.73% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $41,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.73% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.30% below the Kentucky state average of $42,034.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabethtown has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabethtown, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $41,068 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,989 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$27,760
2025 BLS Actual
$38,809
2026 Current Est.
$41,068
2021–2027 Growth
+56.5%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Elizabethtown (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $27,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,809 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,068 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,458 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 39.8% from $27,760 (2021) to $38,809 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,458 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,698 (56.55%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown 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) | $31,418 – $34,518 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,518 – $41,068 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,068 – $44,362 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,362 – $57,545 |
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 Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown currently employs just five emergency medical technicians, indicating a potentially small but stable job market for this profession. The area's cost of living index is notably lower than the national average at 89.3, which can enhance the taking-home power of EMTs despite their relatively modest salaries. The highest pay in this region is likely found within municipal fire departments, where cross-trained firefighter-EMTs enjoy benefits from collective bargaining. In contrast, private ambulance companies, such as AMR and GMR, generally offer lower wages, reflecting industry-wide trends of lagging pay against inflation. The wide variance in earnings among local EMTs can be influenced by employer type, shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and advancement prospects from EMT to paramedic. For those in Elizabethtown looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing certifications, leveraging overtime, and considering transitions into specialized roles, such as industrial oil-field medic, can significantly impact overall compensation.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Elizabethtown, KY in 2026?
Is Elizabethtown, KY a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Elizabethtown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Elizabethtown?
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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 $38,809 for emergency medical techniciansin the Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown 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