Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Pawtucket, RI: $47,241 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Pawtucket, RI earns a median $47,241/year (≈ $22.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Pawtucket's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $47,006 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected earnings for emergency medical technicians in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, reach a median salary of $47,241, slightly higher than the national average of $47,058. The salary for these crucial roles ranges from $35,220 at the 10th percentile to $68,508 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a broad opportunity for both entry-level and experienced EMTs. This projection is based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. With a growing demand for EMS professionals, the strength of Pawtucket's job market indicates a favorable environment for those considering careers as emergency medical technicians or pursuing the EMT-to-paramedic pathway, which could significantly enhance future earning potential.
About the Pawtucket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,220 | $16.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,194 | $18.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,241 | $22.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,897 | $25.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,508 | $32.94 |
Median Salary Position
0.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pawtucket
In Pawtucket, RI, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,288 (2026 est.). At $47,241, the local median is 0.39% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pawtucket: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pawtucket Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Pawtucket median: $47,241/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pawtucket Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $47,289 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +0.39% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Pawtucket, RI earn a median of $47,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 0.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $47,289.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pawtucket has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pawtucket, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,241 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,006 — a 0.5% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$35,608
2025 BLS Actual
$44,643
2026 Current Est.
$47,241
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Pawtucket (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $35,608 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,823 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,081 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,172 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,643 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,241 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,991 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pawtucket metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $35,608 (2021) to $44,643 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,991 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,383 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pawtucket 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) | $35,220 – $39,194 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,194 – $47,241 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,241 – $52,897 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,897 – $68,508 |
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 Pawtucket
In Pawtucket, just 16 emergency medical technicians are currently employed, indicating a niche job market that can have varied compensation levels. At a cost of living index of 100.5, wages must accommodate higher living expenses, which can impact take-home pay. While private ambulance companies may offer lower compensation compared to municipal fire departments, where cross-trained firefighter-EMTs typically enjoy increased benefits and overtime rates, employers like AMR and local hospitals also provide competitive options. Factors influencing the wage variation include employer type, shift differentials, and opportunities for overtime, with unionized positions often yielding higher pay. To effectively boost earnings, EMTs in Pawtucket should explore advancement through additional certifications and consider shift flexibility, which could lead to better financial outcomes in this evolving job sector.
More salary data for Pawtucket, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Pawtucket, RI in 2026?
Is Pawtucket, RI a good place to work as a emergency medical technician?
Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Pawtucket?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Pawtucket?
How much does a emergency medical technician make per hour in Pawtucket?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Rhode Island
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 $44,643 for emergency medical techniciansin the Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket 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