Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Minnesota: $50,760 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median emergency medical technician pay sits at $50,760/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2042. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $51,533 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rochester ($50,070), Minneapolis ($49,970), St. Paul ($49,468).
In Minnesota, the average median salary for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in 2026 is projected to be $50,761, surpassing the national median of $47,058 by 7.9%. Rochester offers the highest average salary at $52,984, while Duluth has the lowest at $38,148, highlighting a significant salary gap of $14,836. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for EMT services, and the specific healthcare infrastructure in each area. Minnesota requires EMTs to have state licensure, which can impact job readiness and regulatory compliance, ultimately influencing salary levels. The scope of practice laws are also vital, as they define the specific duties EMTs can perform, aligning with regional healthcare needs and priorities. The job market for EMTs is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.82%, indicating a strong demand for emergency medical services throughout the state. Major metropolitan areas with higher populations, like Minneapolis and St. Paul, present increased opportunities for employment and higher salaries. In 2026, projected salaries in these cities are $52,878 and $52,347, respectively. Overall, Minnesota's favorable salary averages and positive job growth indicate a solid career path for aspiring EMTs in the state.
Minnesota Emergency Medical Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $25,175 (lowest entry-level) to $79,619 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota emergency medical technicians earn 7.87% more than the national median (+$3,702/year difference).
Minnesota Emergency Medical Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Emergency Medical Technician salaries in Minnesota range from $39,044 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $62,735 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $50,760. The Minnesota median is $3,702 above the US national median of $47,058. The average hourly rate is $24.41/hr. Approximately 2,352 emergency medical technicians are employed across 44 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$36,781
2025 BLS Actual
$47,969
2026 Current Est.
$50,760
2021–2027 Growth
+46.0%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Minnesota (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,781 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,113 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,234 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,496 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,969 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,760 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,715 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 30.4% from $36,781 (2021) to $47,969 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,715 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,934 (46.04%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Emergency Medical Technicians in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for emergency medical technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $52,984 | 90.821 | $58,339 |
| St. Paul | $52,347 | 98.5 | $53,144 |
| Bloomington | $51,942 | 98.5 | $52,733 |
| Minneapolis | $52,878 | 104.822 | $50,446 |
| Maple Grove | $46,981 | 98.5 | $47,696 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,044 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $50,760 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $62,735 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester | $52,984 |
| 2 | Minneapolis | $52,878 |
| 3 | St. Paul | $52,347 |
| 4 | Bloomington | $51,942 |
| 5 | Maple Grove | $46,981 |
| 6 | Woodbury | $46,963 |
| 7 | Eden Prairie | $46,918 |
| 8 | Owatonna | $46,014 |
| 9 | St. Cloud | $46,012 |
| 10 | Brooklyn Park | $45,953 |
| 11 | Plymouth | $45,872 |
| 12 | Roseville | $45,844 |
| 13 | Chaska | $45,808 |
| 14 | Minnetonka | $45,799 |
| 15 | Cottage Grove | $45,748 |
| 16 | Burnsville | $45,711 |
| 17 | Lakeville | $45,542 |
| 18 | Chanhassen | $45,510 |
| 19 | Inver Grove Heights | $45,438 |
| 20 | Eagan | $45,432 |
| 21 | Brooklyn Center | $45,420 |
| 22 | Elk River | $45,413 |
| 23 | Prior Lake | $45,366 |
| 24 | Ramsey | $45,201 |
| 25 | Blaine | $45,009 |
| 26 | Apple Valley | $44,940 |
| 27 | Shakopee | $44,895 |
| 28 | Coon Rapids | $44,889 |
| 29 | Savage | $44,816 |
| 30 | Edina | $44,812 |
| 31 | Maplewood | $44,679 |
| 32 | Andover | $44,669 |
| 33 | Richfield | $44,647 |
| 34 | St. Louis Park | $44,643 |
| 35 | Moorhead | $44,579 |
| 36 | Mankato | $44,568 |
| 37 | Northfield | $44,256 |
| 38 | Hastings | $44,162 |
| 39 | Fridley | $43,964 |
| 40 | Winona | $43,928 |
| 41 | Shoreview | $43,910 |
| 42 | Austin | $43,841 |
| 43 | Faribault | $43,785 |
| 44 | Duluth | $38,148 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore emergency medical technician hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new emergency medical technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced emergency medical technicians.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Emergency Medical Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for emergency medical technicians in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota emergency medical technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level emergency medical technician salary in Minnesota?
How many emergency medical technicians are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for emergency medical technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 emergency medical technician compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more emergency medical technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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