Senior Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Burlington, IA: $56,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of emergency medical technicians working in Burlington, IA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $56,747/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2042. Strip back Burlington's price premium (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $62,773 in average-cost America. The 33% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Across Burlington, IA, seasoned emergency medical technicians can anticipate a significant jump in their earning potential. In 2026, the median annual salary reaches $42,766, yet seasoned professionals with advanced responsibilities can find themselves at the higher end of the scale, with top earners earning as much as $56,747. This creates a noticeable disparity between the median salary and what top-tier EMTs can command, reflecting the influence of extensive experience, specialized skills, and leadership readiness. Attaining such advanced positions often requires a combination of on-the-job training, additional certifications, and sometimes formal education, allowing these professionals to leverage their expertise for higher compensation. In comparison to the national median emergency medical technician salary of $47,058, Burlington’s top earners are earning slightly less, yet still exhibit a robust potential for income growth in a market that offers a 5.82% growth rate annually.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Experienced emergency medical technicians at the top of the pay scale in Burlington earn between $47,049 and $56,747 per year (2026 est.). This $22,107 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burlington median of $42,766 sits 9.12% below the US median.
Top EMT Salary Comparison
| Level | Burlington | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $42,766 | $47,058 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,049 | $53,016 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $56,747 | $66,138 |
In Burlington, experienced emergency medical technicians (P90) earn 32.69% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Emergency Medical Technician Pay in Burlington
Advanced Certifications in Iowa
IA emergency medical technicians with additional specialty certifications within the emergency medical services field earn significantly above the $42,766 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burlington employers.
Specialty Focus
Emergency Medical Technicians focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the emergency medical services field in Burlington command premium compensation, often reaching the $47,049–$56,747 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burlington metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced emergency medical technicians who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured emergency medical technicians in Burlington with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Emergency Medical Technicians in Iowa who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Emergency Medical Technician Career & Wage Growth Path in Burlington
Clinical Emergency Medical Technician
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Emergency Medical Technician
5-10 yearsEmergency Medical Technician Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurlington ranks #18 of 26 Iowa cities for top earner emergency medical technician salary (90th percentile: $56,747).
Top 10% emergency medical technician compensation in Burlington ($56,747) is 13.86% below the Iowa average P90 ($65,878).
2021 BLS Actual
$40,824
2025 BLS Actual
$53,626
2026 Current Est.
$56,747
2021–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Burlington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,824 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,813 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,958 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,367 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,626 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,050 | Projected |
Top-earning emergency medical technicians (90th percentile) in Burlington saw their compensation grow 31.4% from $40,824 in 2021 to $53,626 in 2025, based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 5.82% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $60,050 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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.
Maximizing Your Emergency Medical Technician Earnings in Burlington
Specializations can significantly impact senior emergency medical technician pay in Burlington, with specific roles providing pathways to premium compensation. Positions such as tactical EMS medics, flight EMTs with paramedic credentials, and neonatal transport EMTs can command higher salaries due to the advanced skill sets required. Compensation also varies by employer type; those working in municipal fire departments, which often require cross-training as firefighter-EMTs, may enjoy superior pay structures compared to their counterparts in private ambulance services, whose salaries have been adversely affected by inflationary pressures. Career advancement avenues abound for experienced EMTs, including roles as EMT-to-paramedic bridge instructors or EMS operations supervisors. Achieving advanced certifications, such as tactical EMS or specialized industrial medic training, can enhance a technician's earning potential. Non-salary compensation factors, including shift differentials, overtime options, and the overall demand for skilled practitioners in the Burlington market, can further elevate the total compensation package for dedicated professionals in the field.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced emergency medical technicians make in Burlington in 2026?
What drives higher emergency medical technician pay in Burlington?
What certifications boost emergency medical technician salary in Burlington?
Can experienced emergency medical technicians make six figures in Burlington?
How much does emergency medical technician salary increase over time in Burlington?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $53,626 for emergency medical technicians in the Burlington metro area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington 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