How Much Does an EMT Make in Elgin, IL in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in Elgin, from federal wage data (May 2024), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Illinois.
BLS OES May 2024 · Elgin
A typical EMT in Elgin, Illinois earns $21.12 per hour, or $43,930 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2024). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,661 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $38,440, and the top 10% of earners make over $130,860.
That pay is 4% above the Illinois figure of $42,260 and 1% below the national figure of $44,470. About 5,510 EMTs work in Elgin.
EMT pay in Elgin at a glance
- Typical pay is $21.12 an hour, or $43,930 a year.
- That is 4% above the Illinois figure.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $38,440; the top 10% make over $130,860.
BLS OES May 2024
How much does an EMT make in Elgin?
Pay in Elgin runs from entry-level positions at around $18.48 an hour to more than $62.91 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Illinois and national figures.
EMT pay by career stage in Elgin
| Career stage | Elgin | Illinois | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $38,440$18.48 an hour | $36,420$17.51 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $40,070$19.27 an hour | $39,430$18.96 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $43,930$21.12 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $61,190$29.42 an hour | $49,640$23.87 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $130,860$62.91 an hour | $135,490$65.14 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2024 (the latest vintage BLS published for this area; state and national columns are May 2025) · city figures cover Elgin as BLS defines it
How Elgin compares with other Illinois cities
Rockford pays EMTs the most in Illinois at $45,760 a year, $1,830 more than Elgin. The lowest-paying area in the state is Peoria at $37,870.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Elgin | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rockford | $45,760 | $22.00 | +4% | 70 |
| 2 | Chicago | $44,020 | $21.16 | 0% | 5,610 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $41,070 | $19.74 | -7% | 80 |
| 4 | Moline metro incl. Rock Island | $39,830 | $19.15 | -9% | 160 |
| 5 | Springfield | $38,650 | $18.58 | -12% | 110 |
| 6 | Peoria | $37,870 | $18.21 | -14% | 450 |
Every metro area in Illinois with EMT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Illinois typical pay $42,260
Is Elgin a good place to work as an EMT?
EMT pay in Elgin sits close to the national figure: $43,930 a year, 1% below the national rate.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Elgin, IL?
- A typical EMT in Elgin earns $43,930 a year, or $21.12 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2024. Entry-level pay runs about $38,440 and the top 10% earn over $130,860.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Elgin?
- Typical hourly pay for EMTs in Elgin is $21.12. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $18.48, and the top 10% earn over $62.91 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Elgin?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Elgin typically offer around $18.48 an hour, or $38,440 a year.
- Is EMT pay in Elgin higher than in the rest of Illinois?
- Elgin pay is 4% above the Illinois figure of $42,260 a year. Rockford pays the most in Illinois at $45,760.