How Much Does an EMT Make in Washington, DC in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in Washington, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across District of Columbia.
BLS OES May 2025 · Washington · Arlington · Alexandria metro area
A typical EMT in Washington, District of Columbia earns $23.68 per hour, or $49,250 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $4,104 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $39,310, and the top 10% of earners make over $68,590.
That pay is 6% above the District of Columbia figure of $46,650 and 11% above the national figure of $44,470. About 1,730 EMTs work in the Washington · Arlington · Alexandria area.
EMT pay in Washington at a glance
- Typical pay is $23.68 an hour, or $49,250 a year.
- That is 6% above the District of Columbia figure.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $39,310; the top 10% make over $68,590.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an EMT make in Washington?
Pay in Washington runs from entry-level positions at around $18.90 an hour to more than $32.98 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the District of Columbia and national figures.
EMT pay by career stage in Washington
| Career stage | Washington | District of Columbia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $39,310$18.90 an hour | $39,310$18.90 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $44,680$21.48 an hour | $39,310$18.90 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $49,250$23.68 an hour | $46,650$22.43 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $60,360$29.02 an hour | $59,890$28.79 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $68,590$32.98 an hour | $73,670$35.42 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Washington · Arlington · Alexandria area as BLS defines it
EMT pay growth in Washington
Typical (median) annual wage for EMTs in the Washington · Arlington · Alexandria area · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2021, typical EMT pay in Washington was $46,880 a year. By 2025 it had reached $49,250.
Is Washington a good place to work as an EMT?
EMTs in Washington earn a strong wage by national standards: typical pay is $49,250 a year, 11% above the national figure. For every 1,000 jobs in the Washington · Arlington · Alexandria area, about 0.6 are EMT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.2. That makes EMTs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Washington, DC?
- A typical EMT in Washington earns $49,250 a year, or $23.68 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $39,310 and the top 10% earn over $68,590.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Washington?
- Typical hourly pay for EMTs in Washington is $23.68. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $18.90, and the top 10% earn over $32.98 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Washington?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Washington typically offer around $18.90 an hour, or $39,310 a year.
- Is EMT pay in Washington higher than in the rest of District of Columbia?
- Washington pay is 6% above the District of Columbia figure of $46,650 a year, ranking 1st of 1 metro areas in the state.