Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Bellingham, WA: $52,727 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Bellingham, WA earns a median $52,727/year (≈ $25.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $49,094 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellingham, Washington, emergency medical technician salaries are projected to reach a median annual amount of $52,727 in 2026. This figure represents a significant increase over the national median of $47,058, highlighting the local market's competitive edge by approximately 12.05%. The pay structure for EMTs in the area varies widely, with the salary range extending from $39,114 for entry-level positions (10th percentile) to $76,488 for experienced professionals at the 90th percentile. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic factors, illustrating not only the potential for earnings but also the varying roles within the field—most notably influenced by the distinction between employment with fire departments versus private ambulance services, where salary disparities are pronounced.
About the Bellingham Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,114 | $18.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,761 | $21.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,727 | $25.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,056 | $28.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,488 | $36.77 |
Median Salary Position
12.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,374 (2026 est.). At $52,727, the local median is 12.05% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $52,727/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $52,780 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +12.05% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $52,727 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 0.10% below the Washington state average of $52,780.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,727 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,094 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,743
2025 BLS Actual
$49,827
2026 Current Est.
$52,727
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Bellingham (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,743 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,099 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,385 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,827 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,796 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $39,743 (2021) to $49,827 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,796 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,053 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $39,114 – $43,761 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,761 – $52,727 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,727 – $59,056 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,056 – $76,488 |
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 Bellingham
The job market in Bellingham currently employs 13 emergency medical technicians, revealing a localized workforce that can feel the effects of cost of living, which stands at a higher index of 107.4 compared to the national average. This elevated cost of living can impact take-home pay and disposable income for EMTs, particularly those employed by private ambulance companies, who often lag behind their fire department counterparts. Municipal fire departments generally offer more competitive salaries due to union contracts that prioritize cross-trained firefighter-EMTs. On the other hand, opportunities for higher pay exist within specialized fields like industrial or oil-field medic roles, where wages can be significantly elevated due to demand. For EMTs looking to maximize their compensation in Bellingham WA, pursuing overtime, seeking employment in more lucrative employer types, and considering the bridge from EMT to paramedic can be strategic moves to increase earnings potential amidst the regional salary landscape.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Bellingham?
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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 $49,827 for emergency medical techniciansin the Bellingham 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 Bellingham 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