Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Omaha, NE: $43,757 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Omaha, NE earns a median $43,757/year (≈ $21.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Omaha's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $47,608 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an emergency medical technician salary in Omaha, Nebraska, averages around $43,757 annually, which is slightly lower than the national median of $47,058. The salary range for EMTs in the area varies from $38,974 at the lower end to $72,667 at the high end. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. While Omaha may not feature industrial medic premiums common in oil-field territories, the job market remains active, providing opportunities that can help aspiring EMTs explore various fields, including EMS roles in municipal agencies and private sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,974 | $18.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,974 | $18.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,757 | $21.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,598 | $24.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,667 | $34.93 |
Median Salary Position
7.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Omaha
In Omaha, NE, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,693 (2026 est.). At $43,757, the local median is 7.01% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Omaha: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Omaha Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Omaha median: $43,757/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Omaha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $43,067 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | -7.01% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Omaha, NE earn a median of $43,757 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.01% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 1.60% above the Nebraska state average of $43,067.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Omaha has a cost of living 8.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Omaha, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.911 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $43,757 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,608 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.8% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,150
2025 BLS Actual
$41,350
2026 Current Est.
$43,757
2021–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Omaha (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,757 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,303 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Omaha metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 14.4% from $36,150 (2021) to $41,350 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,303 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,153 (28.09%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Omaha 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) | $38,974 – $38,974 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,974 – $43,757 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,757 – $51,598 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,598 – $72,667 |
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 Omaha
The local job market in Omaha currently employs about 250 emergency medical technicians, supporting robust employment opportunities within the region. The cost of living index stands at an advantageous 91.911, indicating that salaries stretch further in this market compared to many national averages. Among the highest-paying employers are municipal fire departments, which often provide better compensation due to union agreements and cross-training opportunities for EMTs and firefighters. The disparity in pay across different employers can be attributed to factors such as types of medical services provided, shift differentials, overtime, and the progression potential from EMT to paramedic roles. To maximize earnings, aspiring EMTs in Omaha should consider strategies like seeking positions in fire departments or industrial settings and being aware of overtime and premium shift opportunities, which can significantly enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Omaha, 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 $41,350 for emergency medical techniciansin the Omaha 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