Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Seattle, WA: $58,942 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Seattle, WA earns a median $58,942/year (≈ $28.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $53,037 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
As of 2026, emergency medical technicians in Seattle, Washington can expect a median annual salary of $58,942, which is notably higher than the national median of $47,058. The salary range for these professionals spans from $52,402 at the lower end to $64,677 for those in more advanced positions, reflecting the diverse nature of the local job market. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates that employment conditions are favorable, especially for those positioned within fire departments, where pay is generally higher due to union contracts. Given these factors, Seattle presents a competitive environment for EMTs, especially when compared to more stagnant pay scales in private ambulance services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,402 | $25.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,450 | $26.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,942 | $28.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,661 | $29.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,677 | $31.10 |
Median Salary Position
25.25% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,275 (2026 est.). At $58,942, the local median is 25.25% above the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be above the median
How Seattle Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Seattle median: $58,942/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $52,768 | +11.70% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +25.25% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Seattle, WA earn a median of $58,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.25% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 11.70% above the Washington state average of $52,768.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,942 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,037 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$35,590
2025 BLS Actual
$55,700
2026 Current Est.
$58,942
2021–2027 Growth
+75.3%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Seattle (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $35,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,942 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,372 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 56.5% from $35,590 (2021) to $55,700 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,782 (75.25%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $52,402 – $55,450 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,450 – $58,942 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,942 – $61,661 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,661 – $64,677 |
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 Seattle
Examining the local job market, Seattle employs approximately 1,290 emergency medical technicians, a robust figure that underscores the demand for this vital role. However, the city's higher cost of living, as indicated by the cost-of-living index of 111.133, can affect take-home purchasing power. Among various employers, municipal fire departments tend to offer the most lucrative compensation, while industrial and oil-field medic positions also provide attractive salaries, sometimes even surpassing those of private ambulance companies. Discrepancies in pay often result from the type of employer, with fire department roles providing better compensation due to shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and the potential for advancement through EMT-to-paramedic bridge programs. To maximize earning potential in Seattle, EMTs should consider cross-training, seeking union positions, and pursuing specialized certifications that can lead to higher wages and additional responsibilities.
More salary data for Seattle, 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 $55,700 for emergency medical techniciansin the Seattle 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