Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Kennewick, WA: $49,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Kennewick, WA earns a median $49,185/year (≈ $23.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Kennewick's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $49,146 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.8% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the emergency medical technician salary in Kennewick, WA is projected to be a median of $49,185, reflecting a competitive position against the national median of $47,058. The salary range varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $39,100 and the top 90% making up to $62,952. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reveals a strong demand for EMTs in the area, particularly highlighting the financial disparity between those working for municipal fire departments and private ambulance services. While fire department EMTs often earn substantially more due to union contracts, private ambulance services have struggled to keep pace with rising costs, impacting their appeal to prospective employees in the Kennewick market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,100 | $18.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,185 | $23.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,212 | $26.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,952 | $30.26 |
Median Salary Position
4.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kennewick
In Kennewick, WA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,852 (2026 est.). At $49,185, the local median is 4.52% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kennewick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kennewick Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Kennewick median: $49,185/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kennewick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $52,774 | -6.80% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +4.52% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Kennewick, WA earn a median of $49,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.52% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 6.80% below the Washington state average of $52,774.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kennewick has a cost of living 0.08% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kennewick, WA has a cost-of-living index of 100.079 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,185 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,146 — a 0.08% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$30,410
2025 BLS Actual
$46,480
2026 Current Est.
$49,185
2021–2027 Growth
+71.2%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Kennewick (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,048 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kennewick metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 52.8% from $30,410 (2021) to $46,480 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,048 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,638 (71.15%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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) | $39,100 – $39,100 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,100 – $49,185 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,185 – $54,212 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,212 – $62,952 |
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 Kennewick
A total of 110 emergency medical technicians are currently employed in Kennewick, contributing to the local healthcare landscape. Cost of living in the area registers at a slightly above-average index of 100.079, meaning that despite potentially higher salaries, purchasing power can vary. Within the local market, the highest-paying employers include municipal fire departments and industrial medics, with private ambulance services lagging behind. Factors driving the wage disparities include variations in employer types, shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and the potential for advancement through the EMT-to-paramedic bridge. For those looking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Kennewick, pursuing positions with fire departments or seeking opportunities for specialization could provide a more lucrative career path.
More salary data for Kennewick, WA:
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 $46,480 for emergency medical techniciansin the Kennewick 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