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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Salary in Kentucky

Median Annual in Kentucky
$36,800/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$17.69/hr
▼ 17% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Kentucky

groups Employed in KY
2,770
public U.S. Median
$44,470
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$40,817 #39 of 51

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) pay in Kentucky, explained

Emts in Kentucky earn a median of $36,800 per year ($17.69 per hour), which is 17% below the national median of $44,470. Entry-level workers earn around $29,800, while the most experienced EMTs reach about $49,950. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Kentucky.

Is $36,800 good pay in Kentucky?

Adjusted for Kentucky's cost of living (which runs 90% of the U.S. average), that $36,800 is worth about $40,817 in national buying power — ranking Kentucky #39 for real pay (vs #43 on the sticker number).

See the full Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) pay by experience in Kentucky

Entry level (10th pct)
$29,800
$14.33/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$36,800
$17.69/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$49,950
$24.01/hr

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs KY
Kentucky (here) $36,800 $40,817 —
Virginia $45,420 $44,924 −$8,620
Indiana $42,740 $45,795 −$5,940
Illinois $42,260 $42,278 −$5,460
Missouri $42,160 $46,423 −$5,360
Tennessee $40,330 $43,899 −$3,530
Ohio $40,220 $43,353 −$3,420
West Virginia $34,360 $38,392 +$2,440

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Kentucky: FAQ

How much do EMTs make in Kentucky?

Emts in Kentucky earn a median of $36,800 per year ($17.69 per hour), compared with $44,470 nationally.

Does Kentucky pay EMTs well?

At $36,800, Kentucky pays 17% below the national median for EMTs. An estimated 2,770 work in the state.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) salary in other states

Hawaii · $66,410 Alaska · $57,440 New Jersey · $53,610 Washington · $52,690 Rhode Island · $51,290 Connecticut · $50,640 Massachusetts · $50,230 Oregon · $49,270 New York · $48,400 Maryland · $48,100 Minnesota · $48,090 Wyoming · $47,070

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Kentucky

Firefighter $37,150/yr median Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) $38,370/yr median Respiratory Therapist $72,750/yr median