Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Wausau, WI: $41,429 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Wausau, WI earns a median $41,429/year (≈ $19.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $44,715 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Emergency medical technician salaries in Wausau, Wisconsin, are projected to be $41,429 in 2026, notably lower than the national median of $47,058, indicating a difference of approximately 11.96%. The salary range for EMTs in this region spans from $32,741 at the 10th percentile to $54,085 at the 90th percentile. According to 2025 BLS OEWS data, which informs these projections, market dynamics in Wausau may lack the industrial medic premium often found in oil and gas fields. As a result, prospects for higher wages in this area may be limited compared to regions with stronger industrial opportunities, hence impacting the overall emergency medical technician pay in Wausau, WI.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,741 | $15.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,783 | $17.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,429 | $19.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,291 | $23.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,085 | $26.00 |
Median Salary Position
11.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,344 (2026 est.). At $41,429, the local median is 11.96% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Wausau median: $41,429/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,912 | -15.30% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -11.96% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Wausau, WI earn a median of $41,429 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.96% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 15.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $41,429 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,715 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$28,910
2025 BLS Actual
$39,150
2026 Current Est.
$41,429
2021–2027 Growth
+51.6%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Wausau (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,429 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,840 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 35.4% from $28,910 (2021) to $39,150 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,840 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,930 (51.64%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $32,741 – $36,783 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,783 – $41,429 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,429 – $49,291 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,291 – $54,085 |
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 Wausau
Currently, there are about 70 emergency medical technicians employed in Wausau, highlighting a competitive yet modest local job market. The cost of living index stands at 92.651, suggesting that while wages may appear lower than the national average, take-home pay might stretch further due to relatively lower living expenses. Among local employers, private ambulance companies typically offer lower salaries, whereas municipal fire departments, which often recruit cross-trained firefighter-EMTs, tend to pay significantly more. Variations within salaries stem from employer type, with fire departments generally offering higher pay due to union benefits, along with additional compensation for overtime and shift differentials. To maximize pay in this specific market, prospective EMTs should explore opportunities to advance from EMT to paramedic, as this transition can greatly influence earning potential. Engaging with unions or seeking employment in the fire service may also present better financial outcomes for those in Wausau.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
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 $39,150 for emergency medical techniciansin the Wausau 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