How Much Does an EMT Make in Delaware in 2026?

A typical EMT in Delaware earns about $22.49 per hour, or $46,790 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $3,899 a month or $900 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. This is the statewide typical figure, not the starting rate or the top of the range. It reflects what an EMT with typical experience takes home working in Delaware today.

Delaware's typical EMT pay runs 5% above the national figure of $44,470 a year, or $21.38 an hour nationally. That places Delaware 14th among the 51 states and territories ranked for EMT pay. About 950 EMTs work in Delaware, a modest workforce next to the national total of 180,510. Even at that smaller scale, pay here holds a real edge over the national figure.

Entry-level positions in Delaware typically offer around $18.78 an hour, or about $39,060 a year, according to the same May 2025 wage data. New EMTs usually start near this figure while building experience and clinical hours. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical of $22.49 an hour within a few years on the job. Certification level and the type of employer also shape how quickly that happens.

Experienced EMTs in Delaware often earn upwards of $24.53 to $27.72 an hour, with the top 10% of earners making over $57,660 a year. That leaves a spread of $18,600 between entry-level and top pay in the state. Setting, years on the job, and which city an EMT works in all factor into where someone lands within that range. Hospital-based and higher-acuity roles tend to sit closer to the top of the scale.

Delaware's typical EMT pay rose from $36,810 in 2021 to $46,790 in 2025, a gain of $9,980 over that span, according to government wage data. The increase has been steady, climbing in each of the years tracked. For someone starting today, that means pay has moved up in recent years, though nothing about future gains is guaranteed.

Nationally, EMT pay climbed 25% over the past decade, a longer stretch than Delaware's own trend line covers. Delaware's dollar gain of $9,980 since 2021 shows pay moving in the same upward direction as the rest of the country. The takeaway for new EMTs is straightforward: pay has been rising, not falling, in recent years.

Pay runs highest in Wilmington, where EMTs earn about $47,790 a year ($22.97 an hour), which sits 2% above the statewide figure of $46,790. That makes it the top-paying location among the two Delaware cities with available wage data. Figures for Wilmington and other Delaware cities reflect pay across the full metro area, not just the city limits. The gap between Wilmington and the rest of the state is modest rather than dramatic.

Dover pays the least among Delaware's tracked cities, with EMTs earning about $45,060 a year ($21.66 an hour). That leaves a spread of $2,730 between Wilmington and Dover, a narrow gap by state standards. Wilmington also has by far the largest EMT workforce, with 4,970 workers compared with just 160 in Dover. Higher pay in Wilmington likely tracks its higher cost of living relative to Dover.

Delaware's neighbors show a mixed picture. New Jersey pays EMTs more, with a typical $53,610 a year, about 15% above Delaware's figure. Maryland runs close behind at $48,100, roughly 3% higher. Pennsylvania pays less, at $43,310 a year, about 7% below Delaware. EMT certification earned in one of these states can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring one, which matters for anyone weighing a move nearby.

A typical EMT in Delaware earns $46,790 a year ($22.49 an hour) as of May 2025, up $9,980 since 2021. Pay is highest in Wilmington and lowest in Dover, with entry-level positions starting well below the statewide figure and the top 10% earning over $57,660. Anyone considering the field should check Delaware's EMT licensing and registry requirements directly, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to work.