Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Raleigh, NC: $52,021 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Raleigh, NC earns a median $52,021/year (≈ $25.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $52,998 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for emergency medical technicians is estimated to be $52,021 in 2026, reflecting a robust increase in compensation compared to the national median of $47,058. This salary range varies significantly, with the lowest earners making around $38,836 and the most experienced technicians reaching up to $68,540. This data, compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, indicates that emergency medical technician pay in Raleigh NC not only offers a competitive wage within the region but also surpasses the national average by approximately 10.55%. The local job market anticipates growth, showcasing opportunities particularly within private ambulance services and local fire departments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,836 | $18.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,931 | $22.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,021 | $25.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,053 | $28.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,540 | $32.95 |
Median Salary Position
10.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,704 (2026 est.). At $52,021, the local median is 10.55% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $52,021/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $48,437 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +10.55% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $52,021 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.55% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 7.40% above the North Carolina state average of $48,437.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $52,021 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,998 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,830
2025 BLS Actual
$49,160
2026 Current Est.
$52,021
2021–2027 Growth
+49.5%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Raleigh (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,021 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,049 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 33.5% from $36,830 (2021) to $49,160 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,049 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,219 (49.47%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $38,836 – $46,931 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,931 – $52,021 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,021 – $60,053 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,053 – $68,540 |
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 Raleigh
There are about 600 emergency medical technicians employed in Raleigh, contributing to a growing landscape that supports pay variations based on employer type and job duties. The cost of living index for the area is at 98.157, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the take-home purchasing power remains slightly below the national average. Among local employers, fire departments typically offer the highest compensation, often enhanced by union contracts, whereas private ambulance companies lag behind, providing lower emergency medical technician pay in Raleigh NC. Factors such as overtime shifts, specialized EMT-to-paramedic pathways, and roles in industrial medicine can further drive earnings. To maximize salary potential, aspiring EMTs should seek positions in high-paying sectors, pursue additional certifications, and consider cross-training to leverage increasing demand for versatile healthcare professionals in this vibrant North Carolina city.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
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 $49,160 for emergency medical techniciansin the Raleigh 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