Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Muskegon, MI: $40,258 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Muskegon, MI earns a median $40,258/year (≈ $19.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Muskegon's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $43,195 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Muskegon, MI, emergency medical technician salaries reflect a local market where annual earnings are projected to reach a median of $40,258 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the national median of $47,058, demonstrating a pay gap that can largely be attributed to the disparity between fire department salaries and those in private ambulance services. Local estimates predict that EMTs in Muskegon could earn between $30,660 and $53,818 depending on their experience and the nature of their employment. The difference in earnings emphasizes the importance of employer type, particularly since cross-trained firefighters can command 2-3 times the pay of their private ambulatory counterparts due to union negotiations.
About the Muskegon Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,660 | $14.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,705 | $16.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,258 | $19.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,196 | $21.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,818 | $25.87 |
Median Salary Position
14.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muskegon
In Muskegon, MI, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,158 (2026 est.). At $40,258, the local median is 14.45% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muskegon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muskegon Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Muskegon median: $40,258/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muskegon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $41,290 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -14.45% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Muskegon, MI earn a median of $40,258 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.45% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 2.50% below the Michigan state average of $41,290.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muskegon has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Muskegon, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $40,258 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,195 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$30,345
2025 BLS Actual
$38,044
2026 Current Est.
$40,258
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Muskegon (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,345 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,305 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,517 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,044 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,258 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,601 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muskegon metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $30,345 (2021) to $38,044 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,601 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,256 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muskegon 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) | $30,660 – $33,705 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,705 – $40,258 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,258 – $44,196 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,196 – $53,818 |
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 Muskegon
Looking at the job market, there are currently 7 emergency medical technicians employed in Muskegon. The area's cost of living index of 93.2 indicates a lower-than-average living cost, which influences take-home purchasing power for EMTs. Among the various employers, municipal fire departments tend to provide the highest salaries, followed closely by industrial and oil-field positions, while private ambulance companies typically offer lower wages. Factors that contribute to the pay range include shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and the potential for career advancement through the EMT-to-paramedic bridge. To maximize earnings in this local market, aspiring EMTs should seek opportunities in higher-paying sectors and consider additional training and certifications that may provide an edge in negotiations or open doors to more lucrative positions.
More salary data for Muskegon, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Muskegon, MI in 2026?
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Muskegon?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted emergency medical technician salary in Muskegon?
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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 $38,044 for emergency medical techniciansin the Muskegon 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 Muskegon 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