How Much Does an EMT Make in Kansas in 2026?

A typical EMT in Kansas earns about $17.20 per hour ($35,780 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $2,982 a month and $688 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. This figure blends pay across entry-level and experienced EMTs statewide.

Kansas EMTs earn 20% less than the national figure of $44,470 a year ($21.38 an hour). That gap places Kansas 49th out of 51 states nationwide for EMT pay. The state employs 1,510 EMTs statewide. Lower pay in Kansas tends to track its lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states elsewhere in the country.

Entry-level EMT positions in Kansas typically offer around $13.73 an hour (about $28,560 a year). Many newer EMTs move up to around $15.05 an hour ($31,290 a year) within their first couple of years on the job. From there, pay tends to climb toward the state's 17.20 typical hourly figure as EMTs add experience and certifications. How quickly that happens depends partly on the employer and the part of the state where an EMT works.

Experienced EMTs in Kansas often earn upwards of $18.78 an hour (about $39,060 a year), the mark for the top quarter of earners. The top 10% make over $25.82 an hour, or roughly $53,710 a year. That leaves a spread of about $25,150 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years on the job, and which city an EMT works in all help explain the difference.

Kansas EMT pay has climbed steadily over the past several years. In 2021, the typical EMT in Kansas earned $23,240 a year; by 2025 that figure reached $35,780, a gain of $12,540. That works out to a 54% rise in just four years. Pay has moved up each year in that stretch, without a single year of decline.

Nationally, EMT pay rose about 25% over the same span, well below the pace seen in Kansas. That means Kansas EMT pay has grown faster than the country as a whole in recent years, even though the state's typical pay remains below the national figure. For someone starting an EMT career in Kansas now, pay has moved up substantially in a short period, though no future gains are guaranteed.

EMT pay in Kansas runs highest in Topeka, where the typical EMT earns $38,960 a year ($18.73 an hour), about 9% above the state figure. That's the top-paying market among the state's reported metro areas. With only two Kansas cities reporting EMT pay data, wages across the state are fairly uniform rather than concentrated in one hot market.

Wichita, the state's other reporting metro and its largest EMT workforce with 270 jobs, posts a typical pay of $36,860 a year ($17.72 an hour). That's a spread of just $2,100 between Kansas's highest- and lowest-paying cities, a narrow gap compared with many other states. Both figures cover the full metro area rather than the city center alone, and the modest difference likely reflects similar living costs between the two markets.

Kansas EMT pay trails all of its neighbors except Oklahoma. Colorado pays the most nearby, with a typical EMT salary of $45,750 a year, 28% above Kansas's figure. Missouri ($42,160) and Nebraska ($41,710) also pay more, each around 17-18% higher. Oklahoma is the exception, at $34,170 a year, about 4% below Kansas. EMT licensure can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can widen job options for those willing to relocate.

Kansas EMTs earn a typical $35,780 a year ($17.20 an hour), a figure that has risen 54% since 2021. Pay is highest in Topeka and lowest in Wichita, though the two cities differ by just $2,100. Anyone considering EMT work in Kansas can check the state's EMS licensing and registry requirements, or the city-specific pages here for local pay figures before deciding where to start.