Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Kearny, NJ: $52,443 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Kearny, NJ earns a median $52,443/year (≈ $25.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Kearny's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $45,523 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearny, New Jersey, the projected median annual salary for an emergency medical technician is $52,443 in 2026, surpassing the national average of $47,058 by approximately 11.44%. Salaries in this region range from $43,567 at the lower end (P10) to $72,419 for those at the upper echelons (P90), showcasing a competitive pay scale for EMTs. These figures are informed by local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variances. While the Kearny job market for emergency medical technicians could be influenced by local industry opportunities such as industrial medic positions, understanding specific employer dynamics is crucial for prospective EMTs in this area.
About the Kearny Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,567 | $20.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,626 | $22.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,443 | $25.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,131 | $27.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,419 | $34.81 |
Median Salary Position
11.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearny
In Kearny, NJ, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,852 (2026 est.). At $52,443, the local median is 11.44% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearny Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Kearny median: $52,443/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $54,233 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +11.44% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Kearny, NJ earn a median of $52,443 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.44% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 3.30% below the New Jersey state average of $54,233.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearny has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearny, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,443 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,523 — a 13.2% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,529
2025 BLS Actual
$49,559
2026 Current Est.
$52,443
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Kearny (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,529 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,878 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,385 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,264 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,559 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,443 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,496 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearny metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $39,529 (2021) to $49,559 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,496 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,967 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearny 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) | $43,567 – $46,626 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,626 – $52,443 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,443 – $57,131 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,131 – $72,419 |
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 Kearny
Only 11 emergency medical technicians are currently employed in Kearny, highlighting a relatively small but focused market. The cost of living index in Kearny stands at 115.2, indicating that living expenses are higher than the national average, which may affect the overall take-home purchasing power of EMTs. Among local employers, municipal fire departments generally offer the highest compensation due to union agreements, while private ambulance companies like AMR and GMR often lag behind, attributable to their challenging labor conditions. EMTs with advanced training and those who progress to paramedic status typically experience better pay prospects, as do those engaged in specialties like tactical or event medicine. To maximize earnings in Kearny, striving for additional certifications, exploring shift differentials, and considering cross-training opportunities could significantly enhance overall salary potential.
More salary data for Kearny, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Kearny, NJ in 2026?
Is Kearny, NJ a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Kearny?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Kearny?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in Kearny?
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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 $49,559 for emergency medical techniciansin the Kearny 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 Kearny 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