Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Tigard, OR: $49,856 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Tigard, OR earns a median $49,856/year (≈ $23.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Tigard's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $48,593 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tigard, Oregon, emergency medical technicians can expect a median annual salary of $49,856 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $47,058. The local salary range indicates a wide distribution, with earnings starting at $38,957 and potentially reaching up to $69,475, based on variations in employer type and experience. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, suggest that those employed by fire departments, often cross-trained as firefighters, typically command higher wages compared to their counterparts in private ambulance services. Understanding this pay gap can provide valuable insights for prospective EMTs navigating their career choices in the Tigard job market.
About the Tigard Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,957 | $18.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,742 | $20.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,856 | $23.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,146 | $26.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,475 | $33.40 |
Median Salary Position
5.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tigard
In Tigard, OR, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,518 (2026 est.). At $49,856, the local median is 5.95% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tigard: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tigard Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Tigard median: $49,856/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tigard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $51,292 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +5.95% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Tigard, OR earn a median of $49,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.95% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 2.80% below the Oregon state average of $51,292.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tigard has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tigard, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,856 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,593 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,579
2025 BLS Actual
$47,114
2026 Current Est.
$49,856
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Tigard (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,579 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,861 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,245 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,114 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,856 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,758 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tigard metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $37,579 (2021) to $47,114 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,758 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,179 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tigard 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) | $38,957 – $42,742 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,742 – $49,856 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,856 – $56,146 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,146 – $69,475 |
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 Tigard
In this area, only nine emergency medical technicians are currently employed, contributing to a tightly-knit local job market. Tigard's cost-of-living index stands at 102.6, slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home pay and purchasing power for EMTs in the region. The major employers include municipal fire departments, which tend to offer the most lucrative positions due to union agreements and overtime opportunities. In contrast, private ambulance services often pay less, which is a trend observed nationwide. Factors such as shift differentials, the EMT-to-paramedic bridge pathway, and the differing pay structures between union and non-union jobs create a range of earnings in this profession. For individuals looking to maximize their pay, considering employment with local fire departments or seeking out overtime and additional certifications will be key strategies in Tigard, OR.
More salary data for Tigard, 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 $47,114 for emergency medical techniciansin the Tigard 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 Tigard 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