How Much Does an EMT Make in Minnesota in 2026?

A typical EMT in Minnesota earns about $23.12 per hour, or $48,090 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Spread across the year, that comes to roughly $4,008 a month. On a weekly basis, calculated from the annual figure, pay runs close to $925. Those numbers describe pay before overtime or shift differentials.

Minnesota's typical pay runs 8% above the national figure of $44,470 a year ($21.38 an hour), based on the same May 2025 data. That places Minnesota 11th among 51 states for EMT pay. Minnesota employs about 3,160 EMTs, a workforce large enough to produce a stable, well-documented pay picture across the state.

Entry-level positions in Minnesota typically offer around $15.07 an hour, or about $31,340 a year, for EMTs just starting out. Pay generally rises as EMTs gain field experience and take on more responsibility. Within a few years, many reach the state's typical figure of $23.12 an hour. Progression depends on the employer and the setting, such as a hospital-based service versus a private ambulance company.

Experienced EMTs in Minnesota often earn upwards of $25.45 an hour, or about $52,940 a year, once they've built seniority. The top 10% of earners make over $59,220 a year. That's a spread of $27,880 between entry-level and top pay, one of the widest gaps in the pay range. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual EMT falls within that spread.

Minnesota's typical EMT pay has moved from $36,820 in 2021 to $48,090 in 2025, a gain of $11,270. That's a rise of about 31% over five years. The increase has been fairly steady year over year, with only a small dip between 2023 and 2024 before climbing again in 2025.

Nationally, EMT pay rose about 25% over the past decade. Minnesota's five-year gain of 31% has outpaced that longer national trend, even measured over a shorter stretch of time. Pay has moved up substantially for Minnesota EMTs in recent years; nothing about future increases is guaranteed, but the recent trend has been upward.

Pay runs highest in Rochester, where EMTs earn a typical $50,070 a year ($24.07 an hour), about 4% above the statewide figure. These figures cover the greater Rochester metro area. Minneapolis follows closely behind at $49,970 a year ($24.03 an hour), nearly matching Rochester's pay level.

Duluth pays the least among Minnesota's tracked cities, with EMTs earning a typical $36,050 a year ($17.33 an hour), a spread of $14,020 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Minneapolis, at $49,970 a year, holds the largest EMT workforce in the state with 1,490 workers. Higher pay in cities like Rochester and Minneapolis often tracks a higher cost of living, so the gap doesn't necessarily translate into more spending power.

Minnesota pays EMTs more than each of its bordering states. Wisconsin's typical EMT pay of $43,060 a year runs 10% below Minnesota's figure, while South Dakota, at $36,800 a year, trails by 23%, the widest gap among neighbors. Iowa ($40,660) and North Dakota ($39,670) fall in between. An EMT certification earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Minnesota's EMTs typically earn $48,090 a year, a figure that has climbed 31% since 2021. Pay varies by city and experience level, with Rochester and Minneapolis paying the most and entry-level EMTs starting closer to $31,340. Anyone considering the field should check Minnesota's EMT licensing and registry requirements for certification details, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before choosing where to work.