Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Rockville, MD: $50,145 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Rockville, MD earns a median $50,145/year (≈ $24.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Rockville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $45,878 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Emergency medical technicians in Rockville, Maryland, earn a median annual salary of $50,145 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay structure when compared to the national median of $47,058. The salary range for EMTs in the area spans from $39,452 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $70,159 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic factors, highlight the significant gap between fire department salaries, which often dominate the field, and those offered by private ambulance services. As Rockville’s EMT market continues to align with broader trends in wages, the allure of municipal jobs for those pursuing a career as an emergency medical technician remains strong.
About the Rockville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,452 | $18.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,056 | $20.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,145 | $24.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,678 | $27.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,159 | $33.74 |
Median Salary Position
6.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockville
In Rockville, MD, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,707 (2026 est.). At $50,145, the local median is 6.56% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockville Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Rockville median: $50,145/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $51,431 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +6.56% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Rockville, MD earn a median of $50,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 2.50% below the Maryland state average of $51,431.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockville has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockville, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,145 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,878 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,797
2025 BLS Actual
$47,387
2026 Current Est.
$50,145
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Rockville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,797 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,086 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,484 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,885 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,387 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,145 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,063 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockville metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $37,797 (2021) to $47,387 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,063 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,266 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockville 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) | $39,452 – $42,056 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,056 – $50,145 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,145 – $56,678 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,678 – $70,159 |
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 Rockville
The local job market for EMTs is relatively stable, with about 15 professionals currently employed in Rockville. However, the cost of living, at a value of 109.3, suggests that these salaries may not stretch as far as in areas with lower living costs. Generally, municipal fire departments tend to offer the highest compensation compared to private ambulance companies like AMR and GMR, which have not kept pace with inflation. Factors such as shift differentials, opportunities for overtime, and potential career advancement through bridge programs from EMT to paramedic can further influence pay. For individuals looking to maximize their earnings in Rockville, focusing on roles within fire services or specialized EMT pathways could yield the best financial rewards.
More salary data for Rockville, 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 $47,387 for emergency medical techniciansin the Rockville 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 Rockville 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