Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Bay City, MI: $41,005 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Bay City, MI earns a median $41,005/year (≈ $19.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Bay City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $43,997 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the emergency medical technician salary in Bay City, Michigan, is projected to be $41,005 annually, significantly lower than the national median of $47,058. The local salary range spans from $32,490 at the 10th percentile to $54,849 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential for variance based on experience and employer type. These figures reflect estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost differences. Individuals seeking to maximize their pay in Bay City should consider the limited opportunities for industrial medic positions, which often offer higher pay, particularly in oil-field areas or in roles that support local industrial operations.
About the Bay City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,490 | $15.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,261 | $16.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,005 | $19.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,035 | $21.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,849 | $26.37 |
Median Salary Position
12.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bay City
In Bay City, MI, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,359 (2026 est.). At $41,005, the local median is 12.86% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bay City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bay City Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Bay City median: $41,005/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bay City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $41,294 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -12.86% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Bay City, MI earn a median of $41,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.70% below the Michigan state average of $41,294.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bay City has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bay City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $41,005 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,997 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$30,908
2025 BLS Actual
$38,750
2026 Current Est.
$41,005
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Bay City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,908 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,962 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,923 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,157 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,005 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,392 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bay City metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $30,908 (2021) to $38,750 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,484 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bay City 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) | $32,490 – $35,261 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,261 – $41,005 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,005 – $45,035 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,035 – $54,849 |
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 Bay City
The local job market for emergency medical technicians in Bay City employs just eight individuals in this capacity, which reflects a competitive landscape where the cost-of-living index stands at 93.2, suggesting that salaries provide a decent standard of living but may not fully match rising costs. Employers that tend to offer the best compensation include municipal fire departments, given their unionized contracts, which often outpace private ambulance companies that struggle to keep up with inflation. As organizations vary widely in pay and benefits, EMTs looking to enhance their earnings may find better financial prospects by considering cross-training opportunities or obtaining paramedic certifications. Furthermore, understanding the differences between private and municipal employment—where fire department EMTs generally earn significantly more—can guide candidates toward optimal career choices in the local market.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
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 $38,750 for emergency medical techniciansin the Bay City 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 Bay City 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