Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Nebraska: $42,588 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median emergency medical technician pay sits at $42,588/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2042. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $46,544 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Omaha ($41,350), Grand Island ($39,718), Hastings ($39,698).
In Nebraska, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) earn an average median salary of $42,588, which is approximately 9.5% lower than the national median of $47,058. This salary disparity is reflected in the varying wages across cities within the state. Omaha offers the highest pay at $43,757, while Lincoln, the lowest paying city, sees wages at $37,905, showcasing a considerable gap of $5,852. This variation can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for emergency services, and the availability of healthcare facilities. Nebraska requires EMTs to obtain state licensure, which includes completing an accredited training program and passing national certification exams. The scope of practice for EMTs in the state allows them to perform essential medical care, contributing to the growing demand for their services. The job market for EMTs in Nebraska is projected to grow at an annual compound growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, indicative of increasing opportunities in both urban and rural areas. Top projected cities for EMT salaries in 2026 include Grand Island at $42,030, Hastings at $42,008, Fremont at $41,782, and Bellevue at $41,695. Each of these cities reflects the ongoing necessity for skilled emergency medical professionals across the state.
Nebraska Emergency Medical Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $31,517 (lowest entry-level) to $72,667 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska emergency medical technicians earn 9.5% less than the national median ($-4,470/year difference).
Nebraska Emergency Medical Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Emergency Medical Technician salaries in Nebraska range from $37,635 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $66,744 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $42,588. The Nebraska median is $4,470 below the US national median of $47,058. The average hourly rate is $20.48/hr. Approximately 366 emergency medical technicians are employed across 13 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$36,150
2025 BLS Actual
$40,246
2026 Current Est.
$42,588
2021–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Nebraska (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,246 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,588 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,067 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 11.3% from $36,150 (2021) to $40,246 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,067 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,917 (24.67%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Lincoln | $37,905 |
| North Platte | $40,039 |
| Papillion | $40,052 |
| La Vista | $40,094 |
| Norfolk | $40,100 |
Best Value Cities for Emergency Medical Technicians in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for emergency medical technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $43,757 | 91.911 | $47,608 |
| Grand Island | $42,030 | 91.5 | $45,934 |
| Hastings | $42,008 | 91.5 | $45,910 |
| Fremont | $41,782 | 91.5 | $45,663 |
| Bellevue | $41,695 | 91.5 | $45,568 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $37,635 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $42,588 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $66,744 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $43,757 |
| 2 | Grand Island | $42,030 |
| 3 | Hastings | $42,008 |
| 4 | Fremont | $41,782 |
| 5 | Bellevue | $41,695 |
| 6 | Kearney | $41,465 |
| 7 | Scottsbluff | $41,322 |
| 8 | Columbus | $40,207 |
| 9 | Norfolk | $40,100 |
| 10 | La Vista | $40,094 |
| 11 | Papillion | $40,052 |
| 12 | North Platte | $40,039 |
| 13 | Lincoln | $37,905 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore emergency medical technician hourly pay in Nebraska cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced emergency medical technicians.
Explore More Emergency Medical Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for emergency medical technicians in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska emergency medical technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level emergency medical technician salary in Nebraska?
How many emergency medical technicians are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska 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 Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 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