Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $50,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $50,213/year (≈ $24.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $53,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated median annual salary for an emergency medical technician in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, sits at $50,213, reflecting a competitive advantage over the national median of $47,058. This salary range illustrates the diversity of opportunities, varying from approximately $35,438 for entry-level positions (P10) to around $72,813 for experienced technicians at P90. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, are also adjusted for regional cost considerations, which remain favorable in a market with a cost of living index of 93.6, indicating affordability relative to national averages. Given the presence of both municipal fire departments and private ambulance services, individuals seeking positions in Winston-Salem may find unique aspects of the job market affecting overall earnings potential.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,438 | $17.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,491 | $19.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,213 | $24.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,440 | $27.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,813 | $35.01 |
Median Salary Position
6.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,375 (2026 est.). At $50,213, the local median is 6.7% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $50,213/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $48,468 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +6.70% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $50,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.70% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $48,468.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $50,213 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,646 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$37,848
2025 BLS Actual
$47,451
2026 Current Est.
$50,213
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Winston-Salem (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,848 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,139 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,922 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,451 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,135 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $37,848 (2021) to $47,451 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,135 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,287 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $35,438 – $40,491 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,491 – $50,213 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,213 – $57,440 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,440 – $72,813 |
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 Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem's job market hosts around 59 emergency medical technicians, providing a solid base for job seekers. The local cost of living, slightly below the national average, implies that salaries may stretch further for residents. Employers that tend to offer higher compensation include municipal fire departments, which often provide additional benefits like shift differentials and overtime—factors that can substantially increase take-home pay. The disparity in earnings across various sectors stems from numerous influences, such as shift schedules, employer types, and opportunities for advancement through roles like EMT-to-paramedic bridge programs. For those in the field, focusing on securing positions with fire departments or specialized industrial services may significantly enhance their earning potential within the Winston-Salem area.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Winston-Salem, NC in 2026?
Is Winston-Salem, NC a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Winston-Salem?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Winston-Salem?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in Winston-Salem?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $47,451 for emergency medical techniciansin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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