Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Minneapolis, MN: $52,878 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Minneapolis, MN earns a median $52,878/year (≈ $25.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Minneapolis's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 104.8), that paycheck buys what $50,446 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.1% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $52,878, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $47,058 for the same year. The salary range for EMTs in the Twin Cities extends from $41,323 at the lower tenth percentile to $63,069 at the ninety percentile, illustrating a diverse pay scale. This data is based on projections from 2025 BLS OEWS data and highlights the evolving nature of the EMT profession in the urban market. As seasoned technicians bridge into paramedic roles, their earning potential can significantly increase, making this transition a vital pathway for those seeking advancement within the EMS field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,323 | $19.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,942 | $23.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,878 | $25.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,497 | $29.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,069 | $30.33 |
Median Salary Position
12.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, MN, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,746 (2026 est.). At $52,878, the local median is 12.37% above the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Minneapolis: You'd be above the median
How Minneapolis Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Minneapolis median: $52,878/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Minneapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $46,344 | +14.10% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +12.37% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $52,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.37% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 14.10% above the Minnesota state average of $46,344.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Minneapolis has a cost of living 4.82% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Minneapolis, MN has a cost-of-living index of 104.822 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,878 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,446 — a 4.6% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,390
2025 BLS Actual
$49,970
2026 Current Est.
$52,878
2021–2027 Growth
+49.7%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Minneapolis (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,878 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,956 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minneapolis metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 33.6% from $37,390 (2021) to $49,970 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,566 (49.65%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minneapolis 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) | $41,323 – $48,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,942 – $52,878 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,878 – $60,497 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,497 – $63,069 |
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 Minneapolis
With 1,490 emergency medical technicians currently employed in Minneapolis, the job market shows promising strength despite a cost-of-living index of 104.822, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average. Employers such as municipal fire departments, which often offer better compensation due to union contracts, typically pay more than private ambulance services. This pay gap is shaped by various factors, including employer type and opportunities for overtime. To maximize earnings in this area, aspiring EMTs should consider gaining additional certifications, like going from EMT to paramedic, while exploring opportunities in high-paying sectors such as industrial medic roles or cross-training as a firefighter, which can offer significant salary increases compared to traditional private ambulance positions.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Minneapolis?
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Related Pages
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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 $49,970 for emergency medical techniciansin the Minneapolis 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
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