Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Waukee, IA: $20.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Waukee, IA runs $20.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,613 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Waukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,567 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukee, Iowa, emergency medical technicians earn a median hourly rate of $20.49, which is somewhat lower than the national median of $22.62. This difference can impact those considering part-time or per-diem work. For instance, working three days a week could yield a consistent income while allowing for flexibility. The hourly pay range for EMTs in Waukee spans from $16.47 for entry-level positions up to $26.34 for those at the higher end of experience and responsibility. This wide range reflects various employment settings, including ambulance services, fire departments, and event medical tents, where the roles and responsibilities can differ significantly.
About the Waukee Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.47 | $131.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.76 | $142.05 |
| Median (P50) | $20.49 | $163.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.02 | $176.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.34 | $210.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukee
Based on $20.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.49/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukee, IA can expect to earn approximately $42,612 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,584. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $819.47 | $3,551 | $42,612 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $491.68 | $2,131 | $25,567 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $327.79 | $1,420 | $17,045 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Waukee) | $20.49 |
| 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 Waukee, IA earn a median of $42,613 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.45% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 4.30% below the Iowa state average of $44,527.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.49/hr = $25,567/year (purchasing power: $28,283).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,612/year (purchasing power: $47,138).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$15.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.49/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Waukee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Waukee grew 25.4% from $15.44/hr (2021) to $19.36/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.68/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 Waukee 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 Waukee
For part-time EMTs, working 24 hours a week translates into a take-home pay that is considerably less than a full-time income. Those employed per diem can expect billing rates between $20 and $32 per hour with private companies, whereas specialized positions like oil-field medics can earn between $40 and $70 per hour, depending on location and the specific demands of the job. Furthermore, hourly rates might fluctuate depending on the type of employer; for instance, municipal fire department EMTs often benefit from union contracts that can substantially increase pay compared to private ambulance services. Negotiating hourly pay in Waukee requires an understanding of these variances, as some EMTs choose lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance. Balancing the short-term pay benefits against long-term financial security will be key for many emergency medical technicians in the area.
More salary data for Waukee, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Waukee in 2026?
How much do part-time emergency medical technicians make in Waukee?
Are emergency medical technicians in Waukee paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time emergency medical technician make per year in Waukee?
Do emergency medical technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Waukee?
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Career Resources
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 Waukee. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Waukee 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