Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Laurel, MD: $48,860 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Laurel, MD earns a median $48,860/year (≈ $23.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $44,703 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for emergency medical technicians in Laurel, Maryland, is $48,860, which is notably higher than the national average of $47,058, reflecting a 3.83% premium for local EMTs. Salary estimates indicate a range that spans from $39,191 at the 10th percentile to $67,524 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from 2025 BLS statistics, adjusted for regional cost of living factors, and suggests that Laurel’s job market offers competitive compensation for those in this critical role. With limited local opportunities—only six EMTs currently employed—job seekers may anticipate an environment where positions could be sought after.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,191 | $18.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,369 | $20.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,860 | $23.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,131 | $26.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,524 | $32.47 |
Median Salary Position
3.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MD, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,333 (2026 est.). At $48,860, the local median is 3.83% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Laurel median: $48,860/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $51,432 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +3.83% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Laurel, MD earn a median of $48,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.83% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 5.00% below the Maryland state average of $51,432.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,860 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,703 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,828
2025 BLS Actual
$46,173
2026 Current Est.
$48,860
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Laurel (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,828 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,085 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,421 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,685 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,173 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,860 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,704 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $36,828 (2021) to $46,173 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,704 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,876 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $39,191 – $42,369 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,369 – $48,860 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,860 – $55,131 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,131 – $67,524 |
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 Laurel
Despite the attractive salary projections, the cost of living in Laurel, with an index of 109.3, presents some challenges to take-home purchasing power. Emergency medical technicians employed by fire departments tend to command higher wages compared to those in private ambulance services, often due to union contracts that secure better benefits and overtime pay. Meanwhile, specialized positions such as industrial medics can offer even higher earnings, sometimes exceeding $70,000 annually, but these roles may be less common in the area. Factors contributing to the disparity in salaries include shift differentials, opportunities for overtime, and career advancement pathways, such as transitioning from EMT to paramedic roles. To maximize potential earnings in Laurel, EMTs should explore cross-training options, consider positions within municipal systems over private companies, and seek out overtime opportunities where available.
More salary data for Laurel, MD:
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 $46,173 for emergency medical techniciansin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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