Emergency Medical Technician salary in Kentucky
Emergency Medical Technicians in Kentucky earn a median of $36,800 a year ($17.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,950 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $44,470. Kentucky ranks 43rd of 51 states for emergency medical technicians pay. There are 1.4 emergency medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency medical technicians in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,800 | $14.33 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| 75th percentile | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,950 | $24.01 |
| Average (mean) | $38,990 | $18.75 |
Half of emergency medical technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,066.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,533.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,415.38 |
| Weekly | $707.69 |
| Hourly | $17.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Emergency Medical Technician salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $48,480 | 120 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $45,210 | 800 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $43,660 | 240 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $39,910 | 750 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $37,600 | 90 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $37,140 | 80 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $35,630 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for emergency medical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,670 | $33.50 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Paramedic | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $39,590 | $19.03 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $91,230 | $43.86 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $40,370 | $19.41 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a emergency medical technician make in Kentucky?
The median salary for emergency medical technicians in Kentucky is $36,800 a year, or $17.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency medical technicians make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of emergency medical technicians in Kentucky earn at least $49,950 a year. The top 25% earn $44,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency medical technicians in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,800 a year, and a quarter of emergency medical technicians earn $31,200 or less.
How many emergency medical technicians work in Kentucky?
About 2,770 emergency medical technicians are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.