Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Lakewood, WA: $52,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Lakewood, WA earns a median $52,143/year (≈ $25.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $48,550 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Emergency medical technicians in Lakewood, Washington, can expect to see a median annual salary of $52,143 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $47,058. The local salary range spans from $37,960 at the 10th percentile to $74,473 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant income potential for those in this field. These estimates reflect the cost of living adjustments and labor market conditions based on 2025 BLS data. Opportunities for higher wages may arise from specialized positions, particularly in industrial settings or oil-field medic roles, where pay can trend upwards significantly due to heightened demand and specialization in emergency response.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,704 | $21.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,143 | $25.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,688 | $28.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,473 | $35.81 |
Median Salary Position
10.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, WA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,513 (2026 est.). At $52,143, the local median is 10.81% above the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $52,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $52,776 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | +10.81% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Lakewood, WA earn a median of $52,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.81% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $52,776.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,143 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,550 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,303
2025 BLS Actual
$49,275
2026 Current Est.
$52,143
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Lakewood (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,303 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,643 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,136 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,671 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,275 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,178 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $39,303 (2021) to $49,275 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,178 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,875 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $37,960 – $45,704 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,704 – $52,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,143 – $59,688 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,688 – $74,473 |
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 Lakewood
In terms of employment, Lakewood currently has 14 emergency medical technicians, suggesting a relatively small but focused market. The cost-of-living index at 107.4 indicates that while wages are competitive, the purchasing power is slightly impacted by local living costs. Those seeking the highest emergency medical technician pay in Lakewood, WA, should look towards municipal fire departments and industrial employers, as these tend to offer better compensation compared to private ambulance services. The variation in pay often hinges on employer type, with fire departments generally providing substantial wages and overtime opportunities. To maximize earnings locally, EMTs should consider progressing to paramedic status, exploring shift differentials, and pursuing positions that may involve tactical or specialized medical roles, as these factors can substantially enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $49,275 for emergency medical techniciansin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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