Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Grand Island, NE: $42,030 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Grand Island, NE earns a median $42,030/year (≈ $20.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Grand Island's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $45,934 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Grand Island, Nebraska, emergency medical technicians can anticipate a median annual salary of $42,030 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $47,058. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $33,147 for the lowest earners to $58,906 for those at the high end of the spectrum. This gap illustrates the disparity between different employer types, particularly when comparing compensation from municipal fire departments against private ambulance services. Typically, EMTs working for fire departments that are cross-trained often earn considerably more than their counterparts in private ambulance companies, which can impact overall job satisfaction and employment decisions in the region.
About the Grand Island Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,147 | $15.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,310 | $16.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,030 | $20.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,566 | $22.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,906 | $28.32 |
Median Salary Position
10.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Island
In Grand Island, NE, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,759 (2026 est.). At $42,030, the local median is 10.68% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Island Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Grand Island median: $42,030/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $43,063 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -10.68% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Grand Island, NE earn a median of $42,030 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.68% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $43,063.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Island has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Island, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $42,030 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,934 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,680
2025 BLS Actual
$39,718
2026 Current Est.
$42,030
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Grand Island (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,366 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,718 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,030 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,476 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Island metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $31,680 (2021) to $39,718 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,476 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,796 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Island 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) | $33,147 – $35,310 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,310 – $42,030 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,030 – $47,566 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,566 – $58,906 |
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 Grand Island
Currently, there are 14 emergency medical technicians working in Grand Island, highlighting a relatively stable local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, the purchasing power for these salaries is slightly above average, which can make a difference in take-home pay. Among the various employers, municipal fire departments generally offer the highest wages, followed by county EMS systems and hospital-based services. Factors such as shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and progression to paramedic roles can also create variation in earnings. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, seeking opportunities in higher-paying sectors like industrial medics or gaining additional certifications can be advantageous in this market. Ultimately, understanding these dynamics is essential for anyone considering a career as an EMT in Grand Island, NE.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
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 $39,718 for emergency medical techniciansin the Grand Island 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 Grand Island 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