Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Oswego, NY: $42,869 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Oswego, NY earns a median $42,869/year (≈ $20.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Oswego's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $36,988 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the compensation for emergency medical technicians in Oswego, New York is projected to average approximately $42,869 annually. The salary range for EMTs in this area spans from $36,638 at the 10th percentile to $57,528 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse earnings potential based on experience and employer type. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for local cost of living conditions in Oswego. As a close-knit community, the local job market offers opportunities for dedicated EMTs, but those seeking high compensation will need to consider pathways to advancement such as the EMT-to-paramedic progression, which can significantly enhance pay and career prospects in this sector.
About the Oswego Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,638 | $17.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,869 | $20.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,561 | $22.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,528 | $27.66 |
Median Salary Position
8.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oswego
In Oswego, NY, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,890 (2026 est.). At $42,869, the local median is 8.9% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oswego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oswego Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Oswego median: $42,869/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $45,702 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -8.90% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Oswego, NY earn a median of $42,869 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.90% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 6.20% below the New York state average of $45,702.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oswego has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oswego, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $42,869 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $36,988 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,312
2025 BLS Actual
$40,511
2026 Current Est.
$42,869
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Oswego (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,312 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,415 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,464 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,001 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,511 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,869 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,364 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oswego metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $32,312 (2021) to $40,511 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,052 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oswego 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) | $36,638 – $37,770 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,770 – $42,869 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,869 – $47,561 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,561 – $57,528 |
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 Oswego
The job market for emergency medical technicians in Oswego remains stable, with five EMTs currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index at 115.9 suggests that expenses are higher than the national average, which can affect take-home purchasing power. In this environment, municipal fire departments typically offer the most lucrative positions for EMTs, following union contract structures that provide competitive salaries compared to private ambulance services. The wide range between lower and higher salaries is driven by factors including employer types, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities. Those in private ambulance roles often face pay that falls short of inflation, highlighting the benefits of securing a position in a fire department or pursuing specialized roles in high-demand sectors like oil-field medicine. To maximize earnings in Oswego, EMTs should consider enhancing their skills through the paramedic bridge program, keeping an eye on union job postings, and seeking additional certifications that can elevate their market value.
More salary data for Oswego, NY:
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 $40,511 for emergency medical techniciansin the Oswego 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 Oswego 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