Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $23.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Denver, CO runs $23.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,413 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,054 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, Colorado, emergency medical technicians earn a median hourly rate of $23.28, slightly surpassing the national hourly median of $22.62. This competitive pay reflects the unique demands placed on EMTs who work in diverse environments such as ambulance patient compartments, fire engine medical bays, event venues, and oil-field sites. For those considering part-time positions, working three days a week could yield a paycheck that aligns well with their lifestyle needs, while per-diem workers benefit from flexible schedules that adjust to personal availability. Entry-level EMTs may expect to start around $19.90 per hour, whereas experienced technicians in specialized roles can earn upwards of $29.70, highlighting a significant income potential across the spectrum of experience in this field. Such estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.90 | $159.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.56 | $164.49 |
| Median (P50) | $23.28 | $186.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.37 | $202.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.70 | $237.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver
Based on $23.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.28/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $48,423 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,936. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denver
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $931.22 | $4,035 | $48,423 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $558.73 | $2,421 | $29,054 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $372.49 | $1,614 | $19,369 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Denver) | $23.28 |
| Paramedic (National Avg) | $27.18 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.62 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $26.89 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.25 |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Denver, CO earn a median of $48,413 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.88% higher than the national median of $47,058.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.28/hr = $29,054/year (purchasing power: $27,466).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,423/year (purchasing power: $45,776).
CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$14.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.28/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+71.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Denver (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Denver grew 53.5% from $14.33/hr (2021) to $22.00/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.64/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem emergency medical technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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.
Working as an Hourly Emergency Medical Technician in Denver
Emergency medical technician hourly pay in Denver also opens avenues for strategic employment choices. A part-time EMT working 24 hours a week could expect to take home about $28,579 annually, compared to the full-time equivalent, which offers a higher revenue ceiling. For those navigating the world of per-diem or agency work, billing rates can vary widely, ranging from $20 to $32 per hour in private sectors, while oil-field medics might command $40-$70 per hour depending on their location and operational demands. Moreover, emergency medical technicians based in fire departments often benefit from union contracts that lead to higher wages compared to their private ambulance counterparts. The trade-off between hourly rates and benefits plays a crucial role in decision-making, as some EMTs may accept lower compensation in exchange for employer-sponsored health coverage. For those negotiating their pay in a competitive environment like Denver, knowing local wage scales and understanding the specific benefits of each employer type, such as municipal versus private sectors, can significantly impact their earning potential.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for emergency medical technicians in Denver. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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