Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Burlington, NC: $52,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Burlington, NC earns a median $52,042/year (≈ $25.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $55,841 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For emergency medical technicians in Burlington, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $52,042, reflecting a notable increase compared to the national average of $47,058. The salary range illustrates the diverse opportunities within the field, with lower-end earnings starting at $41,058. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, emphasizes not only the financial potential in the EMT role but also the career pathway leading to paramedic certification, which can significantly enhance one’s pay and responsibilities. As Burlington's healthcare landscape continues to evolve, aspiring EMTs can anticipate growth and opportunities in their market as they work toward advancing their qualifications.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,058 | $19.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,058 | $19.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,042 | $25.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,042 | $25.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,042 | $25.02 |
Median Salary Position
10.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, NC, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,984 (2026 est.). At $52,042, the local median is 10.59% above the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Burlington Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Burlington median: $52,042/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $48,456 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +10.59% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Burlington, NC earn a median of $52,042 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.59% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 7.40% above the North Carolina state average of $48,456.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington 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.
Burlington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.196 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $52,042 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,841 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,227
2025 BLS Actual
$49,180
2026 Current Est.
$52,042
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Burlington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,227 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,071 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $39,227 (2021) to $49,180 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,071 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,844 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $41,058 – $41,058 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,058 – $52,042 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,042 – $52,042 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,042 – $52,042 |
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 Burlington
In Burlington, approximately 190 emergency medical technicians are actively employed, underscoring a robust local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 93.196, which is below the national average, EMTs may find that their earnings afford a relatively good standard of living, particularly when compared to nearby regions. The highest-paying employers often include municipal fire departments, where cross-trained firefighter-EMTs benefit from union contracts that can significantly elevate their pay, often surpassing that of private ambulance services such as AMR or GMR. The disparity in pay levels can stem from various factors, including employer type, the availability of overtime, and the potential for shift differentials. For EMTs seeking to maximize their compensation in Burlington, pursuing advancement to paramedic certification, seeking shifts in higher-paying systems like fire departments, and considering employment with hospital-based EMS can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
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 $49,180 for emergency medical techniciansin the Burlington 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, 4-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