Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Lakewood, NJ: $53,787 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Lakewood, NJ earns a median $53,787/year (≈ $25.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $46,690 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Lakewood, NJ can expect a projected median annual salary of $53,787, a figure that outpaces the national median of $47,058 by approximately 14.30%. The salary range for EMTs in this area spans from $41,285 at the 10th percentile to $78,638 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variety of employment opportunities and levels of experience in the local market. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data and take into account regional cost adjustments specific to Lakewood. Given the area's unique characteristics, such as its higher-than-average cost of living index at 115.2, local demands and job conditions may heavily influence salary levels for emergency medical technicians.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,285 | $19.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,678 | $21.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,787 | $25.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,638 | $37.81 |
Median Salary Position
14.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, NJ, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,353 (2026 est.). At $53,787, the local median is 14.3% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $53,787/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $54,221 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +14.30% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Lakewood, NJ earn a median of $53,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.30% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $54,221.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,787 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,690 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$40,542
2025 BLS Actual
$50,829
2026 Current Est.
$53,787
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Lakewood (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,542 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,925 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,497 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,578 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,829 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,787 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,918 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $40,542 (2021) to $50,829 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,918 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,376 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $41,285 – $45,678 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,678 – $53,787 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,787 – $62,350 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,350 – $78,638 |
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 Lakewood
With 31 EMTs currently employed in Lakewood, the job market presents a stable environment for aspiring professionals. The cost-of-living reality here can significantly impact take-home pay, making it crucial for workers to seek roles that offer better compensation. Municipal fire departments typically provide the highest salaries, particularly for cross-trained firefighter-EMTs due to strong union contracts. In contrast, private ambulance services tend to lag behind, with lower pay offers that are less appealing when considering inflation. The gap in pay between various employer types stems from factors such as overtime opportunities, shift differentials, and the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway, which can increase earning potential. To maximize pay in Lakewood, EMTs should consider gaining additional certifications that lead to higher roles, exploring opportunities in industries like event medical services or county EMS systems, and leveraging union affiliations where possible.
More salary data for Lakewood, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Lakewood, NJ in 2026?
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Lakewood?
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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 $50,829 for emergency medical techniciansin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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