Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Ponce, PR: $23,111 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Ponce, PR earns a median $23,111/year (≈ $11.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Puerto Rico's price level (25% below national, BEA RPP 75.0), that paycheck buys what $30,815 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 34.5% below the Puerto Rico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Ponce, Puerto Rico are projected to earn a median annual salary of $23,111, significantly lower than the national median of $47,058. The salary range for these professionals spans from $23,111 for the bottom 10% to $27,862 for the top 90%, which illustrates a modest earning potential compared to other regions. These figures, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflect the unique dynamics of the local job market. As Ponce continues to develop its healthcare infrastructure, the ability to transition from EMT to paramedic will be crucial, as this progression typically results in increased compensation and greater responsibilities within the emergency response framework.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,111 | $11.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,111 | $11.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $23,111 | $11.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25,862 | $12.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27,862 | $13.40 |
Median Salary Position
50.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ponce
In Ponce, PR, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $4,751 (2026 est.). At $23,111, the local median is 50.89% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ponce: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Ponce Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Ponce median: $23,111/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ponce Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico Average | $35,284 | -34.50% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -50.89% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Ponce, PR earn a median of $23,111 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.89% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 34.50% below the Puerto Rico state average of $35,284.
2021 BLS Actual
$17,350
2025 BLS Actual
$21,840
2026 Current Est.
$23,111
2021–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Ponce (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $19,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $20,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $21,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23,111 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24,456 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ponce metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.9% from $17,350 (2021) to $21,840 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $24,456 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,106 (40.96%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ponce 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) | $23,111 – $23,111 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,111 – $23,111 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $23,111 – $25,862 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $25,862 – $27,862 |
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 Ponce
Currently, Ponce supports a workforce of around 60 emergency medical technicians. However, the local cost of living can diminish the real value of these salaries. While private ambulance and EMS companies may struggle to offer competitive compensation, those employed by municipal fire departments often benefit from union contracts that afford them better pay. In Ponce, cross-trained firefighter-EMTs typically earn significantly more than their private ambulance counterparts, sometimes enjoying shifts that include overtime and tactical premiums. EMTs looking to maximize their earnings potential in this market should consider pursuing additional certification to become paramedics, which not only increases their salary prospects but also enhances career opportunities in various emergency medical services, including hospital-based or industrial sectors.
More salary data for Ponce, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $21,840 for emergency medical techniciansin the Ponce 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