Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Puerto Rico: $30,140 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 2 metropolitan areas, the average median emergency medical technician pay sits at $30,140/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2042. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $40,187 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: San Juan ($29,330), Ponce ($21,840).
When considering a career as an emergency medical technician in Puerto Rico, it's important to look at salary expectations and regional differences. The projected average median salary for EMTs in Puerto Rico in 2026 is $30,140, which is significantly lower than the national median of $47,058, reflecting a 36.0% gap. Among the metro areas, San Juan offers the highest salary at $31,037, while Ponce has the lowest at $23,111, indicating a salary difference of $7,926 between the two cities. This disparity can be attributed to variations in local cost of living, demand for services, and funding for emergency medical services in different regions. In Puerto Rico, EMTs must meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to defined scopes of practice. The demand for emergency medical services is anticipated to grow, with an average annual growth rate of 5.82%, suggesting that job opportunities for EMTs are expected to increase. Currently, there are about 530 EMTs employed across the territory, reflecting the need for skilled professionals to provide crucial services. As such, those entering this field should be prepared for both the salary dynamics and the regulatory framework unique to Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Emergency Medical Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $23,111 (lowest entry-level) to $46,307 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico emergency medical technicians earn 35.95% less than the national median ($-16,918/year difference).
Puerto Rico Emergency Medical Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Emergency Medical Technician salaries in Puerto Rico range from $24,078 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $44,219 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $30,140. The Puerto Rico median is $16,918 below the US national median of $47,058. The average hourly rate is $14.49/hr. Approximately 530 emergency medical technicians are employed across 2 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$18,424
2025 BLS Actual
$28,482
2026 Current Est.
$30,140
2021–2027 Growth
+73.1%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Puerto Rico (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18,424 | Actual |
| 2022 | $21,992 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,088 | Actual |
| 2024 | $27,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,482 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,140 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31,894 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 54.6% from $18,424 (2021) to $28,482 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $31,894 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,470 (73.11%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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.
Top 2 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $24,078 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $30,140 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $44,219 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 2 Cities in Puerto Rico
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced emergency medical technicians.
Explore More Emergency Medical Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for emergency medical technicians in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico emergency medical technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level emergency medical technician salary in Puerto Rico?
How many emergency medical technicians are employed in Puerto Rico?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 emergency medical technician compensation across Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 2 metro areas — larger metro areas with more emergency medical technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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