Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Evanston, IL: $43,217 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Evanston, IL earns a median $43,217/year (≈ $20.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Evanston's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $44,508 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Emergency medical technicians in Evanston, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $43,217 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $47,058. The local salary range varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning $31,905 and the highest 90% making $62,167. These figures, derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost, highlight a market where opportunities may be limited, particularly in oil-field or industrial sectors which typically offer higher wages. While Evanston's job market for EMTs is relatively small, it reflects the broader trends in emergency medical services where lower pay is often associated with private ambulance services compared to municipal fire departments or specialized industrial roles.
About the Evanston Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,905 | $15.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,619 | $17.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,217 | $20.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,869 | $23.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,167 | $29.88 |
Median Salary Position
8.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evanston
In Evanston, IL, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,262 (2026 est.). At $43,217, the local median is 8.16% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Evanston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Evanston Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Evanston median: $43,217/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Evanston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,478 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -8.16% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Evanston, IL earn a median of $43,217 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.16% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $43,478.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Evanston 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.
Evanston, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $43,217 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,508 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,575
2025 BLS Actual
$40,840
2026 Current Est.
$43,217
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Evanston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,575 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,686 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,553 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,217 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,732 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evanston metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $32,575 (2021) to $40,840 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,732 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,157 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evanston 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) | $31,905 – $35,619 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,619 – $43,217 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,217 – $49,869 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,869 – $62,167 |
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 Evanston
In Evanston, only 16 emergency medical technicians are currently employed, creating a competitive job landscape in the region. The cost-of-living index of 97.1 indicates that living expenses are slightly below the national average, allowing for improved purchasing power relative to salaries. Among local employers, municipal fire departments typically offer higher compensation due to the advantages of union contracts compared to private ambulance companies, whose wages have stagnated. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include types of shifts, overtime availability, and advancement opportunities such as the EMT-to-paramedic bridge, which can lead to better financial prospects. For those looking to maximize their earnings, seeking positions in municipal services or gaining additional certifications can be effective strategies to enhance emergency medical technician pay in Evanston, IL.
More salary data for Evanston, 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 $40,840 for emergency medical techniciansin the Evanston 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 Evanston 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