Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Roanoke, VA: $44,116 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Roanoke, VA earns a median $44,116/year (≈ $21.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Roanoke's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $47,123 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For emergency medical technicians in Roanoke, Virginia, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $44,116. This figure slightly lags behind the national median of $47,058, indicative of the specific market conditions in the area. The salary range for this profession extends from $37,746 at the 10th percentile to $55,492 at the 90th percentile, emphasizing a variety of opportunities based on experience and employer type. These salary insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect the local job market's characteristics. With 170 EMTs employed in Roanoke, the potential for professional growth and development in this field remains strong, particularly for those willing to explore various employment settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,746 | $18.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,974 | $20.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,116 | $21.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,471 | $23.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,492 | $26.68 |
Median Salary Position
6.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roanoke
In Roanoke, VA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,746 (2026 est.). At $44,116, the local median is 6.25% below the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Roanoke: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roanoke Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Roanoke median: $44,116/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roanoke Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $47,032 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -6.25% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Roanoke, VA earn a median of $44,116 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.25% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 6.20% below the Virginia state average of $47,032.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roanoke has a cost of living 6.38% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Roanoke, VA has a cost-of-living index of 93.618 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $44,116 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,123 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.82% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$28,980
2025 BLS Actual
$41,690
2026 Current Est.
$44,116
2021–2027 Growth
+61.1%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Roanoke (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,116 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,684 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roanoke metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 43.9% from $28,980 (2021) to $41,690 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,684 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,704 (61.09%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roanoke 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) | $37,746 – $42,974 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,974 – $44,116 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,116 – $49,471 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,471 – $55,492 |
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 Roanoke
In Roanoke, local market dynamics play a key role in determining emergency medical technician salaries. With a cost of living index at 93.618, the purchasing power of EMTs is somewhat enhanced, allowing for a more comfortable life compared to areas with a higher cost of living. Among employers, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest pay due to union contracts, often providing significant benefits and stability. In contrast, private ambulance services tend to lag behind, presenting lower average salaries. The difference between pay scales is primarily driven by employer type, shift differentials, and overtime opportunities. Additionally, pursuing further certifications, such as the EMT-to-paramedic pathway, can significantly elevate earning potential. For those in the Roanoke area, focusing on securing positions within fire departments or industrial medic roles may yield higher compensation, given the lucrative nature of these positions.
More salary data for Roanoke, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $41,690 for emergency medical techniciansin the Roanoke 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