Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Syracuse, NY: $46,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Syracuse, NY earns a median $46,656/year (≈ $22.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Syracuse's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $48,731 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Syracuse, New York, the projected 2026 median annual salary for emergency medical technicians is $46,656, slightly below the national median of $47,058. This salary reflects the competitive environment of the local job market, which shows a range from $40,508 at the low end (10th percentile) to $58,645 at the high end (90th percentile). These estimates are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys conducted for 2025, projected to represent the upcoming year. Potential opportunities for enhanced earnings may exist for EMTs in industrial settings or oil-field medic roles, likely offering a premium for their specialized services. Syracuse's market appears poised for continued growth, with an annual growth rate of 5.82% expected for the next five years across the sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,508 | $19.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,847 | $20.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,656 | $22.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,026 | $23.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,645 | $28.20 |
Median Salary Position
0.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Syracuse
In Syracuse, NY, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,137 (2026 est.). At $46,656, the local median is 0.85% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Syracuse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Syracuse Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Syracuse median: $46,656/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Syracuse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $45,696 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | -0.85% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Syracuse, NY earn a median of $46,656 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.85% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.10% above the New York state average of $45,696.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Syracuse has a cost of living 4.26% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Syracuse, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.742 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $46,656 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,731 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.45% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,890
2025 BLS Actual
$44,090
2026 Current Est.
$46,656
2021–2027 Growth
+65.2%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Syracuse (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,371 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Syracuse metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 47.5% from $29,890 (2021) to $44,090 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,371 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,481 (65.18%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Syracuse 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) | $40,508 – $42,847 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,847 – $46,656 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,656 – $49,026 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,026 – $58,645 |
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 Syracuse
Across the Syracuse region, there are around 490 emergency medical technicians actively employed, revealing a solid presence in the local workforce. The cost of living index for Syracuse stands at 95.742, suggesting that take-home pay allows for a reasonable purchasing power compared to the broader national average. Among local employers, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest wages, benefiting from union contracts, while private ambulance companies tend to pay less, having struggled to keep up with inflation. Factors such as shift differentials, overtime availability, and pathways to progress from EMT to paramedic status can greatly influence earnings. For those pursuing a career as an emergency medical technician in Syracuse, focusing on opportunities within fire departments or aiming for advanced certifications may provide significant advantages to maximize salary potential.
More salary data for Syracuse, 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 $44,090 for emergency medical techniciansin the Syracuse 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