Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Missouri: $44,164 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median emergency medical technician pay sits at $44,164/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2042. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $49,290 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($43,980), Springfield ($43,700), Kansas City ($42,670).
In Missouri, the projected average median salary for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in 2026 is $44,164, which is 6.1% lower than the national median of $47,058. This discrepancy can be partly attributed to variations in local economies and funding for emergency services across the state. The highest-paying city for EMTs is Columbia, with a projected salary of $46,540, while Cape Girardeau offers the lowest salary at $37,619. The salary gap of $8,921 reflects differences in regional cost of living, demand for services, and competition among healthcare providers. Missouri EMTs must adhere to specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence their job functions and responsibilities. These regulations ensure that EMTs are adequately trained and certified to provide essential care. Demand for EMTs in the state is driven by a growing population and increased emphasis on emergency services, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.82%. With a total of 2,912 EMTs employed across 33 metro areas, the job market for emergency medical technicians in Missouri is expected to remain strong, presenting steady opportunities for those entering this vital field.
Missouri Emergency Medical Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $30,265 (lowest entry-level) to $65,288 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri emergency medical technicians earn 6.15% less than the national median ($-2,894/year difference).
Missouri Emergency Medical Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Emergency Medical Technician salaries in Missouri range from $37,236 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,899 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $44,164. The Missouri median is $2,894 below the US national median of $47,058. The average hourly rate is $21.23/hr. Approximately 2,912 emergency medical technicians are employed across 33 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$31,069
2025 BLS Actual
$41,735
2026 Current Est.
$44,164
2021–2027 Growth
+50.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Missouri (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,069 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,054 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,948 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,428 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,735 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,164 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,735 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 34.3% from $31,069 (2021) to $41,735 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,735 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,666 (50.42%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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 Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $37,619 |
| Jefferson City | $38,910 |
| Hannibal | $39,830 |
| Raymore | $39,959 |
| Branson | $40,111 |
Best Value Cities for Emergency Medical Technicians in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for emergency medical technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | $46,243 | 88.585 | $52,202 |
| Columbia | $46,540 | 89.438 | $52,036 |
| Independence | $44,051 | 89.6 | $49,164 |
| Joplin | $41,979 | 85.718 | $48,973 |
| St. Peters | $43,729 | 89.6 | $48,805 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $37,236 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $44,164 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,899 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $46,540 |
| 2 | Springfield | $46,243 |
| 3 | Kansas City | $45,153 |
| 4 | St. Louis | $44,349 |
| 5 | Independence | $44,051 |
| 6 | St. Peters | $43,729 |
| 7 | St. Charles | $43,647 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $43,141 |
| 9 | Florissant | $42,915 |
| 10 | Wildwood | $42,821 |
| 11 | Kirkwood | $42,808 |
| 12 | Lee's Summit | $42,785 |
| 13 | Chesterfield | $42,779 |
| 14 | University City | $42,554 |
| 15 | Liberty | $42,538 |
| 16 | Grandview | $42,463 |
| 17 | Maryland Heights | $42,394 |
| 18 | Joplin | $41,979 |
| 19 | Blue Springs | $41,913 |
| 20 | Raytown | $41,663 |
| 21 | Webster Groves | $41,455 |
| 22 | Sedalia | $41,442 |
| 23 | Ballwin | $41,368 |
| 24 | Nixa | $41,365 |
| 25 | Gladstone | $41,254 |
| 26 | Wentzville | $41,158 |
| 27 | St. Joseph | $40,931 |
| 28 | Belton | $40,809 |
| 29 | Branson | $40,111 |
| 30 | Raymore | $39,959 |
| 31 | Hannibal | $39,830 |
| 32 | Jefferson City | $38,910 |
| 33 | Cape Girardeau | $37,619 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore emergency medical technician hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new emergency medical technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced emergency medical technicians.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Emergency Medical Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for emergency medical technicians in Missouri?
How does Missouri emergency medical technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level emergency medical technician salary in Missouri?
How many emergency medical technicians are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri 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 Missouri. 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