Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Colorado: $48,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median emergency medical technician pay sits at $48,050/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2042. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,762 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fort Collins ($48,220), Loveland ($47,065), Arvada ($46,845).
In Colorado, emergency medical technician (EMT) salaries are projected to average $48,051 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $47,058, reflecting a positive variance of 2.1%. Within the state, Fort Collins leads with the highest salary at $51,026, while Pueblo has the lowest at $42,815. The disparity of $8,211 between these cities can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for emergency services, and the density of healthcare facilities. Colorado has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws for EMTs, necessitating certification through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and completion of state-approved training programs. The job market for EMTs in Colorado shows a promising growth rate of 5.82% annually, indicating increasing demand for emergency medical services. This projected growth can be driven by factors such as the state's expanding population and an increasing focus on emergency preparedness in healthcare systems. Currently, there are approximately 2,659 EMTs employed across the state, with top cities for employment including Fort Collins, Loveland at $49,804, Arvada at $49,571, Thornton at $49,172, and Colorado Springs at $48,868. Understanding these dynamics can aid in career planning and expectations for those considering a position in this field in Colorado.
Colorado Emergency Medical Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $34,063 (lowest entry-level) to $72,282 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado emergency medical technicians earn 2.11% more than the national median (+$992/year difference).
Colorado Emergency Medical Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Emergency Medical Technician salaries in Colorado range from $40,917 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $60,830 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,050. The Colorado median is $992 above the US national median of $47,058. The average hourly rate is $23.10/hr. Approximately 2,659 emergency medical technicians are employed across 33 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$32,417
2025 BLS Actual
$45,408
2026 Current Est.
$48,050
2021–2027 Growth
+56.9%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Colorado (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,417 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,733 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,719 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,543 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,847 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 40.1% from $32,417 (2021) to $45,408 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,847 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,430 (56.85%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pueblo | $42,815 |
| Golden | $44,560 |
| Evans | $44,836 |
| Louisville | $45,098 |
| Durango | $45,364 |
Best Value Cities for Emergency Medical Technicians in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for emergency medical technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction | $48,529 | 95.476 | $50,828 |
| Fort Collins | $51,026 | 101.128 | $50,457 |
| Colorado Springs | $48,868 | 100.707 | $48,525 |
| Loveland | $49,804 | 105 | $47,432 |
| Arvada | $49,571 | 105 | $47,210 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,917 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,050 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $60,830 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Collins | $51,026 |
| 2 | Loveland | $49,804 |
| 3 | Arvada | $49,571 |
| 4 | Thornton | $49,172 |
| 5 | Colorado Springs | $48,868 |
| 6 | Centennial | $48,856 |
| 7 | Westminster | $48,684 |
| 8 | Grand Junction | $48,529 |
| 9 | Lakewood | $48,449 |
| 10 | Denver | $48,413 |
| 11 | Parker | $47,988 |
| 12 | Erie | $47,902 |
| 13 | Windsor | $47,781 |
| 14 | Castle Rock | $47,689 |
| 15 | Broomfield | $47,674 |
| 16 | Longmont | $47,658 |
| 17 | Aurora | $47,349 |
| 18 | Englewood | $47,293 |
| 19 | Boulder | $47,259 |
| 20 | Commerce City | $46,964 |
| 21 | Lafayette | $46,853 |
| 22 | Wheat Ridge | $46,583 |
| 23 | Brighton | $46,147 |
| 24 | Littleton | $45,993 |
| 25 | Fountain | $45,966 |
| 26 | Northglenn | $45,922 |
| 27 | Greeley | $45,820 |
| 28 | Steamboat Springs | $45,652 |
| 29 | Durango | $45,364 |
| 30 | Louisville | $45,098 |
| 31 | Evans | $44,836 |
| 32 | Golden | $44,560 |
| 33 | Pueblo | $42,815 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore emergency medical technician hourly pay in Colorado cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced emergency medical technicians.
Compare Cities in Colorado
View all comparisons →Explore More Emergency Medical Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for emergency medical technicians in Colorado?
How does Colorado emergency medical technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level emergency medical technician salary in Colorado?
How many emergency medical technicians are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for emergency medical technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 emergency medical technician compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more emergency medical technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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