Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $51,725 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $51,725/year (≈ $24.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $53,359 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, emergency medical technicians in Milwaukee, WI can expect a median annual salary of $51,725, surpassing the national median of $47,058 by nearly 9.92%. The salary range for this profession spans from $39,524 at the 10th percentile to $59,693 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variances based on experience, employer type, and specific roles. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlight not only the attractive compensation available in Milwaukee's job market but also the ongoing bridge from EMT to paramedic roles, where advancement can lead to significantly higher earnings. As the need for skilled emergency medical personnel continues to grow, so too does the potential for lucrative opportunities in the city's EMS landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,524 | $19.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,148 | $19.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,725 | $24.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,201 | $26.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,693 | $28.70 |
Median Salary Position
9.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,169 (2026 est.). At $51,725, the local median is 9.92% above the national median of $47,058.
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At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be above the median
How Milwaukee Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $51,725/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,889 | +5.80% more |
| National Average | $47,058 | +9.92% more |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $51,725 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.92% higher than the national median of $47,058 and 5.80% above the Wisconsin state average of $48,889.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $51,725 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,359 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$30,090
2025 BLS Actual
$48,880
2026 Current Est.
$51,725
2021–2027 Growth
+81.9%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Milwaukee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,725 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,735 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 62.4% from $30,090 (2021) to $48,880 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,735 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,645 (81.90%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $39,524 – $40,148 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,148 – $51,725 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,725 – $54,201 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,201 – $59,693 |
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 Milwaukee
The local job market in Milwaukee is robust, with approximately 830 emergency medical technicians currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 96.937, which is below the national average of 100, allowing many EMTs to find that their take-home pay stretches further than in higher-cost cities. Among employers, municipal fire departments typically offer the highest salaries, benefiting from union contracts that favor cross-trained firefighter-EMTs. In contrast, private ambulance companies often lag in wages, a trend exacerbated by inflation pressures. Factors contributing to the salary disparity include the type of employer, shift differentials, overtime opportunities, and the progression from EMT to paramedic status. For those in Milwaukee looking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay, strategic choices like pursuing additional certifications or seeking employment with municipal entities can significantly enhance compensation potential and career satisfaction.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
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 $48,880 for emergency medical techniciansin the Milwaukee 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