Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Virginia: $47,099 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median emergency medical technician pay sits at $47,099/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2042. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,639 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Radford ($49,165), Alexandria ($48,834), Blacksburg ($48,320).
In Virginia, the average median salary for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in 2026 is projected to be $47,099, slightly above the national median of $47,058, indicating a positive variance of 0.1%. EMTs in Radford earn the highest at $52,026, while those in Bristol receive the lowest salary of $39,708, resulting in a salary gap of $12,318. This difference is primarily driven by local demand for emergency services, cost of living, and the size of the healthcare facilities in each area. Virginia requires EMTs to meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to defined scope of practice laws, which can influence job readiness and market demand. The projected growth rate for this profession in the state is 5.82%, reflecting the ongoing need for emergency medical services in both urban and rural areas. Top cities for EMT salaries in 2026 also include Alexandria at $51,676, Blacksburg at $51,132, Richmond at $50,042, and Norfolk at $49,296. Overall, with a total employment figure of 1,707 EMTs, the job market in Virginia remains strong, presenting stable opportunities for those entering the field or seeking career advancement.
Virginia Emergency Medical Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $32,439 (lowest entry-level) to $74,464 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia emergency medical technicians earn 0.09% more than the national median (+$41/year difference).
Virginia Emergency Medical Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Emergency Medical Technician salaries in Virginia range from $38,088 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,067 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $47,099. The Virginia median is $41 above the US national median of $47,058. The average hourly rate is $22.65/hr. Approximately 1,707 emergency medical technicians are employed across 42 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$35,379
2025 BLS Actual
$44,509
2026 Current Est.
$47,099
2021–2027 Growth
+40.9%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Virginia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $35,379 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,509 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,799 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,767 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,509 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,099 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,841 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.8% from $35,379 (2021) to $44,509 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,841 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,462 (40.88%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 5 Highest Paying Cities in Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bristol | $39,708 |
| Charlottesville | $42,074 |
| Falls Church | $43,366 |
| Herndon | $44,056 |
| Roanoke | $44,116 |
Best Value Cities for Emergency Medical Technicians in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for emergency medical technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $51,132 | 92.71 | $55,153 |
| Richmond | $50,042 | 97.858 | $51,137 |
| Radford | $52,026 | 103.2 | $50,413 |
| Alexandria | $51,676 | 103.2 | $50,074 |
| Staunton | $45,492 | 91.128 | $49,921 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,088 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $47,099 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,067 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Radford | $52,026 |
| 2 | Alexandria | $51,676 |
| 3 | Blacksburg | $51,132 |
| 4 | Richmond | $50,042 |
| 5 | Norfolk | $49,296 |
| 6 | Chesapeake | $48,760 |
| 7 | Virginia Beach | $48,571 |
| 8 | Newport News | $47,398 |
| 9 | Hampton | $46,980 |
| 10 | Centreville | $46,761 |
| 11 | Lynchburg | $46,626 |
| 12 | Burke | $46,443 |
| 13 | Harrisonburg | $46,347 |
| 14 | Suffolk | $46,243 |
| 15 | Tuckahoe | $46,112 |
| 16 | Ashburn | $46,045 |
| 17 | McLean | $46,042 |
| 18 | Reston | $45,994 |
| 19 | Danville | $45,984 |
| 20 | Fredericksburg | $45,787 |
| 21 | Dale City | $45,778 |
| 22 | Manassas | $45,728 |
| 23 | Salem | $45,601 |
| 24 | Leesburg | $45,535 |
| 25 | Portsmouth | $45,509 |
| 26 | Staunton | $45,492 |
| 27 | Mechanicsville | $45,436 |
| 28 | Springfield | $45,276 |
| 29 | Woodbridge | $45,214 |
| 30 | Sterling | $45,126 |
| 31 | Lake Ridge | $45,068 |
| 32 | Linton Hall | $45,017 |
| 33 | Fairfax | $44,902 |
| 34 | Waynesboro | $44,681 |
| 35 | Annandale | $44,622 |
| 36 | Winchester | $44,557 |
| 37 | Williamsburg | $44,536 |
| 38 | Roanoke | $44,116 |
| 39 | Herndon | $44,056 |
| 40 | Falls Church | $43,366 |
| 41 | Charlottesville | $42,074 |
| 42 | Bristol | $39,708 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore emergency medical technician hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new emergency medical technicians.
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 Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for emergency medical technicians in Virginia?
How does Virginia emergency medical technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level emergency medical technician salary in Virginia?
How many emergency medical technicians are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for emergency medical technicians?
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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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