Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay in Rochester, MN: $25.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a emergency medical technician working in Rochester, MN runs $25.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,984 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,788 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, Minnesota, the emergency medical technician hourly rate is projected to reach $25.47 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median hourly pay of $22.62. This advantageous rate allows part-time EMTs working three days a week in various settings—such as ambulance patient compartments, fire engine medical bays, and hospital emergency departments—to earn a respectable income while maintaining flexible schedules. For entry-level EMTs, hourly earnings can start around $18.66, while experienced professionals, such as those in specialized roles or with additional certifications, may earn up to $28.68 per hour. This official BLS data highlights the lucrative potential of the role within Rochester's healthcare landscape.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.66 | $149.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.47 | $179.72 |
| Median (P50) | $25.47 | $203.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.47 | $203.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.68 | $229.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $25.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.47/hr, a emergency medical technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, MN can expect to earn approximately $52,979 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,565. With a cost-of-living index of 90.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,018.83 | $4,415 | $52,979 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $611.30 | $2,649 | $31,788 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $407.53 | $1,766 | $21,192 |
Compare EMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technician (Rochester) | $25.47 |
| 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 Rochester, MN earn a median of $52,984 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.59% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 14.30% above the Minnesota state average of $46,355.
Emergency Medical Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.47/hr = $31,788/year (purchasing power: $35,000).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,979/year (purchasing power: $58,334).
CoL index: 90.821 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.47/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Rochester (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for emergency medical technicians in Rochester grew 33.1% from $18.09/hr (2021) to $24.07/hr (2025). At a 5.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.95/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Part-time emergency medical technicians in Rochester working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week can anticipate earnings of around $31,499 annually, contrasting sharply with those who work full-time, which allows for more financial stability and benefits. For EMTs seeking alternative work arrangements, per diem roles offer a different pay structure, with rates ranging from $20 to $32 per hour through private companies, while specialized positions such as oil-field medics may yield $40 to $70 per hour. It's important to recognize that hourly rates can vary widely depending on employer type—ranging from private ambulance services to municipal fire departments and event medical services. Some EMTs may sacrifice higher hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance with full-time positions, hence the need for practical negotiation strategies when considering roles in Rochester. Be sure to consider not only the numbers but also the overall compensation package when weighing opportunities in this field.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
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 Rochester. 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