Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Buffalo Grove, IL: $42,668 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Buffalo Grove, IL earns a median $42,668/year (≈ $20.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Buffalo Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $43,942 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for emergency medical technicians in Buffalo Grove reaches $42,668, reflecting a landscape adversely impacted by private ambulance pay scales. With an income range from $35,204 at the lower end to $60,171 at the top, the disparity between municipal fire department salaries and those of private ambulance services is striking. This underlines broader compensation trends where fire department EMTs benefit from union contracts, commanding significantly higher wages compared to their counterparts in private sectors. The data presented here is informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variances, making Buffalo Grove a competitive, albeit challenging market for EMS professionals regarding pay.
About the Buffalo Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,204 | $16.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,757 | $18.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,668 | $20.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,325 | $22.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,171 | $28.93 |
Median Salary Position
9.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo Grove
In Buffalo Grove, IL, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,967 (2026 est.). At $42,668, the local median is 9.33% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Grove Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Buffalo Grove median: $42,668/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,450 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -9.33% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Buffalo Grove, IL earn a median of $42,668 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.33% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $43,450.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo Grove has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $42,668 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,942 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,161
2025 BLS Actual
$40,321
2026 Current Est.
$42,668
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Buffalo Grove (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,161 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,258 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,298 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,038 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,321 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,668 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,151 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo Grove metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $32,161 (2021) to $40,321 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,151 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,990 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo Grove 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,204 – $37,757 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,757 – $42,668 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,668 – $46,325 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,325 – $60,171 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Buffalo Grove
Focusing on the local job market, only seven emergency medical technicians are currently employed in Buffalo Grove, indicating a relatively constrained workforce. The cost of living index in the area stands at 97.1, slightly below the national average, suggesting that while salaries may not be as high as some regions, the lower cost of living can afford EMTs a decent lifestyle. Among the key employers in Buffalo Grove, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest compensation due to union influence, whereas private ambulance companies such as AMR may lag significantly. The pay gap can often be attributed to factors such as shifts, overtime opportunities, and the bridge from EMT to paramedic training. For those looking to enhance their earnings, pursuing additional certifications, seeking positions with fire departments, or exploring industrial medic roles could prove beneficial in the Buffalo Grove area.
More salary data for Buffalo Grove, IL:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $40,321 for emergency medical techniciansin the Buffalo Grove metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Buffalo Grove 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