Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Rochester, MN: $52,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Rochester, MN earns a median $52,984/year (≈ $25.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $58,339 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.3% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, Minnesota, emergency medical technicians can expect a median annual salary of $52,984 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $47,058 by 12.59%. The compensation ranges from $38,794 at the lower end (P10) to $59,640 at the higher end (P90), highlighting significant variation based on experience, employer type, and other factors. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicates a robust job market for EMTs, especially as they consider progression to paramedic roles, which can further elevate their earning potential through advanced training and certification.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,794 | $18.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,720 | $22.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,984 | $25.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,984 | $25.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,640 | $28.68 |
Median Salary Position
12.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,846 (2026 est.). At $52,984, the local median is 12.59% above the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be above the median
How Rochester Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Rochester median: $52,984/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $46,355 | +14.30% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +12.59% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Rochester, MN earn a median of $52,984 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.59% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 14.30% above the Minnesota state average of $46,355.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 9.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.821 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $52,984 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,339 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.11% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,620
2025 BLS Actual
$50,070
2026 Current Est.
$52,984
2021–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Rochester (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,068 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 33.1% from $37,620 (2021) to $50,070 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,068 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,448 (49.04%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $38,794 – $46,720 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,720 – $52,984 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,984 – $52,984 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,984 – $59,640 |
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 Rochester
Rochester's job market for emergency medical technicians is solid, with around 250 EMTs employed locally. The cost of living index in the area is 90.821, suggesting that salaries stretch a bit further in terms of purchasing power compared to many other regions. Among local employers, municipal fire departments often provide the highest wages due to union agreements, which typically allow for better salaries over private ambulance services. The pay disparity comes from various factors, including employer type and potential for overtime, shift differentials, or additional responsibilities in tactical settings. To maximize pay, EMTs pursuing opportunities with fire departments or seeking to advance their careers to paramedic status should consider gaining specialized skills and certifications, providing a pathway to higher earning potential in the long run.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
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 $50,070 for emergency medical techniciansin the Rochester 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
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