Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Elizabeth, NJ: $54,707 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Elizabeth, NJ earns a median $54,707/year (≈ $26.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Elizabeth's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $47,489 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Elizabeth, New Jersey, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $54,707, which is significantly higher than the projected national median of $47,058. Local estimates indicate a salary range between $43,213 at the 10th percentile to $79,822 at the 90th percentile. Factors influencing these figures include the demand for skilled technicians in the region, with opportunities in various sectors such as private ambulance services and municipal fire departments. Given Elizabeth's proximity to industrial activity, including oil-field operations, there may be higher earning potential for those with specialized training, contributing to a dynamic job market for emergency medical technicians.
About the Elizabeth Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,213 | $20.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,551 | $22.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,707 | $26.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,321 | $30.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,822 | $38.38 |
Median Salary Position
16.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabeth
In Elizabeth, NJ, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,609 (2026 est.). At $54,707, the local median is 16.25% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elizabeth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabeth Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Elizabeth median: $54,707/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabeth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $54,219 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +16.25% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Elizabeth, NJ earn a median of $54,707 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.25% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 0.90% above the New Jersey state average of $54,219.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabeth has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabeth, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,707 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,489 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$41,235
2025 BLS Actual
$51,698
2026 Current Est.
$54,707
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Elizabeth (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $41,235 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,642 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,258 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,477 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,698 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,707 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,891 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabeth metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $41,235 (2021) to $51,698 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,891 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,656 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabeth 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) | $43,213 – $47,551 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,551 – $54,707 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,707 – $63,321 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,321 – $79,822 |
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 Elizabeth
The job market for emergency medical technicians in Elizabeth is supported by 25 professionals currently employed in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, EMTs must consider how their salaries relate to local expenses. Employers that offer the highest pay typically include municipal fire departments, where cross-training as a firefighter enhances earning potential, and industrial or oil-field medics, who can command substantial hourly rates due to the nature of their work. Variability in pay largely arises from employer type, shift differentials, overtime availability, and progression routes such as the EMT-to-paramedic bridge. For those interested in maximizing their earnings, seeking positions in unionized environments or gaining experience in high-demand areas like specialized medical transport could significantly bolster their emergency medical technician pay in Elizabeth, NJ.
More salary data for Elizabeth, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Elizabeth, NJ in 2026?
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Elizabeth?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Elizabeth?
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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 $51,698 for emergency medical techniciansin the Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth 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