Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Bristol, RI: $44,770 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Bristol, RI earns a median $44,770/year (≈ $21.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $44,547 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected salary of $44,770 for emergency medical technicians in Bristol, Rhode Island, reflects the unique factors influencing the market in this area. With salaries ranging from $35,362 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as high as $60,760 for the top earners (90th percentile), these figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments. Notably, the emergency medical technician pay in Bristol RI is slightly below the national median of $47,058 for 2026, indicating a competitive but challenging wage landscape. The presence of industrial medic roles might offer better compensation in certain contexts, contributing further to salary variations across different employer types.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,362 | $17.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,205 | $18.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,620 | $22.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,760 | $29.21 |
Median Salary Position
4.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, RI, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,398 (2026 est.). At $44,770, the local median is 4.86% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Bristol median: $44,770/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $47,276 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -4.86% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Bristol, RI earn a median of $44,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $47,276.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $44,770 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,547 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$33,746
2025 BLS Actual
$42,308
2026 Current Est.
$44,770
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Bristol (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $33,746 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,897 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,037 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,861 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,308 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,770 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,376 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $33,746 (2021) to $42,308 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,376 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,630 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $35,362 – $38,205 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,205 – $44,770 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,770 – $47,620 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,620 – $60,760 |
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 Bristol
Analyzing the local job market reveals only five emergency medical technicians currently employed in Bristol, underscoring a tight labor pool that could influence hiring practices and salary negotiations. With a cost-of-living index of 100.5, the purchasing power for EMTs in this region is marginally above the national average, but it remains essential for potential candidates to consider how far their earnings will stretch. Fire department EMTs typically earn higher wages due to union negotiations, often surpassing private ambulance services, which face challenges in keeping pace with inflation. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, transitioning from EMT to paramedic can open new opportunities, especially in municipalities and specialized sectors that may offer additional benefits such as overtime and shift differentials. Understanding these dynamics will be crucial for anyone assessing how much do emergency medical technicians make in Bristol and what steps can be taken to improve their compensation potential.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Bristol, RI in 2026?
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Bristol?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Bristol?
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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 $42,308 for emergency medical techniciansin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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