How Much Does an EMT Make in Illinois in 2026?

A typical EMT in Illinois earns about $20.32 per hour, or $42,260 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $3,522 a month. On a weekly basis, pay comes to about $813, a figure calculated from the annual number. These figures cover full-time work across the state.

That typical pay sits 5% below the national figure for EMTs, which stands at $44,470 a year, according to the same May 2025 data. Illinois ranks 26th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia for EMT pay. The gap is modest, and lower pay in Illinois often tracks its cost of living compared with higher-paying states. Illinois employs about 7,840 EMTs statewide.

Entry-level positions in Illinois typically offer around $17.51 an hour, or about $36,420 a year, for EMTs just starting out. Early-career pay in the state runs from there up to about $18.96 an hour, or $39,430 a year, as new hires gain a bit of experience. Within a few years, most EMTs move toward the typical pay of $20.32 an hour. Starting pay typically increases as EMTs gain time on the job.

Experienced EMTs in Illinois often earn upwards of $23.87 an hour, or about $49,640 a year, in the upper range of the field. The top 10% of earners make over $135,490 a year, well beyond typical pay. The gap between entry-level and top pay comes to $99,070, one of the widest spreads in the pay scale. That spread usually reflects differences in setting, years on the job, and which city an EMT works in.

Illinois EMT pay rose from $36,070 in 2021 to $42,260 in 2025, a gain of $6,190. That's a 17% increase over the period, according to government wage data. The rise has been steady each year rather than a single jump. For an EMT tracking pay over time, the trend shows consistent movement upward.

Nationally, EMT pay rose about 25% over the same stretch, according to the same wage data source, putting Illinois's gain behind the national pace. Pay for Illinois EMTs has still moved up in real dollar terms each year since 2021. Someone starting as an EMT in Illinois today enters a field where pay has trended upward, though future gains aren't guaranteed.

Rockford pays EMTs the most in Illinois, with a typical annual figure of $45,760, or $22.00 an hour, about 8% above the statewide figure. Chicago follows at $44,020 a year, or $21.16 an hour, still above the state figure but below Rockford's. Bloomington rounds out the higher end at $41,070 a year. These figures reflect each city's full metro area rather than city limits alone.

Peoria pays the least among Illinois cities tracked, with a typical annual figure of $37,870, or $18.21 an hour. The spread between Rockford and Peoria comes to $7,890 a year. Chicago holds the largest EMT workforce in the state, employing about 5,610 EMTs, even though its pay sits below Rockford's. Cities with higher pay often carry a higher cost of living, which tends to offset some of the difference.

Among neighboring states, Wisconsin pays EMTs a bit more, with a typical annual figure of $43,060, about 2% above Illinois. Indiana runs close behind at $42,740, about 1% above Illinois, and Missouri sits almost even at $42,160. Kentucky pays noticeably less, at $36,800 a year, about 13% below Illinois. Iowa also trails, at $40,660, about 4% below. EMT licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, widening job options near the border.

Illinois EMTs typically earn $42,260 a year, or $20.32 an hour, as of May 2025. That figure has risen from $36,070 since 2021, a gain of $6,190. For specific requirements, check the Illinois EMS licensing or registry page, and compare local figures on city pages for places like Chicago, Rockford, or Peoria before deciding where to work.