How Much Does an EMT Make in Joplin, MO in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in Joplin, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Missouri.
BLS OES May 2025 · Joplin metro area
A typical EMT in Joplin, Missouri earns $19.07 per hour, or $39,670 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,306 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $33,790, and the top 10% of earners make over $56,080.
That pay is 6% below the Missouri figure of $42,160 and 11% below the national figure of $44,470. Joplin ranks 5th of 8 metro areas in Missouri for EMT pay. About 80 EMTs work in the Joplin area.
EMT pay in Joplin at a glance
- Typical pay is $19.07 an hour, or $39,670 a year.
- That is 6% below the Missouri figure, ranking 5th of 8 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $33,790; the top 10% make over $56,080.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an EMT make in Joplin?
Pay in Joplin runs from entry-level positions at around $16.24 an hour to more than $26.96 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Missouri and national figures.
EMT pay by career stage in Joplin
| Career stage | Joplin | Missouri | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $33,790$16.24 an hour | $34,390$16.53 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $35,750$17.19 an hour | $37,060$17.82 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $39,670$19.07 an hour | $42,160$20.27 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $44,710$21.50 an hour | $47,230$22.71 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $56,080$26.96 an hour | $58,090$27.93 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Joplin area as BLS defines it
How Joplin compares with other Missouri cities
Columbia pays EMTs the most in Missouri at $43,980 a year, $4,310 more than Joplin. The lowest-paying area in the state is Cape Girardeau at $35,550.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Joplin | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $43,980 | $21.14 | +11% | 80 |
| 2 | Springfield | $43,700 | $21.01 | +10% | 280 |
| 3 | Kansas City | $42,670 | $20.51 | +8% | 500 |
| 4 | St. Louis | $41,910 | $20.15 | +6% | 1,550 |
| 5 | Joplin | $39,670 | $19.07 | this city | 80 |
| 6 | St. Joseph | $38,680 | $18.59 | -2% | 50 |
| 7 | Jefferson City | $36,770 | $17.68 | -7% | 100 |
| 8 | Cape Girardeau | $35,550 | $17.09 | -10% | 50 |
Every metro area in Missouri with EMT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Missouri typical pay $42,160
Is Joplin a good place to work as an EMT?
EMTs in Joplin earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $39,670 a year, 11% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Joplin area, about 0.9 are EMT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.2. That makes EMTs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Joplin, MO?
- A typical EMT in Joplin earns $39,670 a year, or $19.07 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $33,790 and the top 10% earn over $56,080.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Joplin?
- Typical hourly pay for EMTs in Joplin is $19.07. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $16.24, and the top 10% earn over $26.96 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Joplin?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Joplin typically offer around $16.24 an hour, or $33,790 a year.
- Is EMT pay in Joplin higher than in the rest of Missouri?
- Joplin pay is 6% below the Missouri figure of $42,160 a year, ranking 5th of 8 metro areas in the state. Columbia pays the most in Missouri at $43,980.