Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Portland, OR: $55,037 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Portland, OR earns a median $55,037/year (≈ $26.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $52,207 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Earning a median annual salary of $55,037 in 2026, emergency medical technicians in Portland, OR, find themselves in a strong compensation position compared to their national counterparts, who earn an average of $47,058. The full salary spectrum for EMTs in the area ranges from $43,429 at the 10th percentile to $67,069 at the 90th percentile. These figures come from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlighting the growth opportunities in this essential field. This upward trajectory in pay also reflects the significance of advancing to a paramedic role, which can offer higher earnings and additional responsibilities, making it an attractive career pathway for those currently operating as EMTs in the city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,429 | $20.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,772 | $24.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,037 | $26.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,862 | $29.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,069 | $32.24 |
Median Salary Position
16.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,640 (2026 est.). At $55,037, the local median is 16.96% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Portland median: $55,037/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $51,293 | +7.30% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +16.96% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Portland, OR earn a median of $55,037 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.96% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 7.30% above the Oregon state average of $51,293.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,037 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $52,207 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,400
2025 BLS Actual
$52,010
2026 Current Est.
$55,037
2021–2027 Growth
+60.0%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Portland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,037 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,240 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 42.9% from $36,400 (2021) to $52,010 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,240 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,840 (60.00%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $43,429 – $50,772 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,772 – $55,037 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,037 – $61,862 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,862 – $67,069 |
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 Portland
Portland's local job market for emergency medical technicians shows strong stability, with approximately 1,040 EMTs currently employed. However, the cost of living, indicated by a cost-of-living index of 105.421, raises important considerations for take-home pay. Employers in the region vary significantly in terms of compensation; for example, municipal fire departments tend to offer superior salaries compared to private ambulance services. Factors influencing pay disparities include employer type, scheduling (such as shift differentials), overtime options, and the potential progression from EMT to paramedic. To maximize earnings within Portland's market, aspiring EMTs should consider pursuing advanced certifications and seeking employment with fire departments or specialized medical transport services, where compensation typically exceeds that of private ambulance companies.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
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 $52,010 for emergency medical techniciansin the Portland 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