How Much Does an EMT Make in Paducah, KY in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in Paducah, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Kentucky.
BLS OES May 2025 · Paducah metro area
A typical EMT in Paducah, Kentucky earns $17.86 per hour, or $37,140 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,095 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $28,460, and the top 10% of earners make over $46,450.
That pay is 1% above the Kentucky figure of $36,800 and 16% below the national figure of $44,470. Paducah ranks 4th of 5 metro areas in Kentucky for EMT pay. About 80 EMTs work in the Paducah area.
EMT pay in Paducah at a glance
- Typical pay is $17.86 an hour, or $37,140 a year.
- That is 1% above the Kentucky figure, ranking 4th of 5 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $28,460; the top 10% make over $46,450.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an EMT make in Paducah?
Pay in Paducah runs from entry-level positions at around $13.68 an hour to more than $22.33 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Kentucky and national figures.
EMT pay by career stage in Paducah
| Career stage | Paducah | Kentucky | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $28,460$13.68 an hour | $29,800$14.33 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $30,100$14.47 an hour | $31,200$15.00 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $37,140$17.86 an hour | $36,800$17.69 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $42,620$20.49 an hour | $44,380$21.34 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,450$22.33 an hour | $49,950$24.01 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Paducah area as BLS defines it
How Paducah compares with other Kentucky cities
Louisville pays EMTs the most in Kentucky at $45,210 a year, $8,070 more than Paducah. The lowest-paying area in the state is Ashland at $35,630.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Paducah | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville metro incl. Jefferson County | $45,210 | $21.74 | +22% | 800 |
| 2 | Fayette metro incl. Lexington | $43,660 | $20.99 | +18% | 240 |
| 3 | Bowling Green | $37,600 | $18.08 | +1% | 90 |
| 4 | Paducah | $37,140 | $17.86 | this city | 80 |
| 5 | Ashland | $35,630 | $17.13 | -4% | 160 |
Every metro area in Kentucky with EMT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Kentucky typical pay $36,800
Is Paducah a good place to work as an EMT?
EMTs in Paducah earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $37,140 a year, 16% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Paducah area, about 1.6 are EMT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.2. That makes the local economy more reliant on EMTs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Paducah, KY?
- A typical EMT in Paducah earns $37,140 a year, or $17.86 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $28,460 and the top 10% earn over $46,450.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Paducah?
- Typical hourly pay for EMTs in Paducah is $17.86. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $13.68, and the top 10% earn over $22.33 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Paducah?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Paducah typically offer around $13.68 an hour, or $28,460 a year.
- Is EMT pay in Paducah higher than in the rest of Kentucky?
- Paducah pay is 1% above the Kentucky figure of $36,800 a year, ranking 4th of 5 metro areas in the state. Louisville pays the most in Kentucky at $45,210.