How Much Does an EMT Make in North Dakota in 2026?

A typical EMT in North Dakota earns about $19.07 per hour ($39,670 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $3,306 a month and $763 a week, both calculated from the annual figure rather than reported separately. This figure describes typical pay across the state, not any single job posting.

That pay sits 11% below the national figure of $44,470 a year, placing North Dakota 35th among the 51 states and territories tracked. Lower pay in North Dakota often tracks lower living costs compared with higher-cost states. About 760 EMTs work across the state, a modest workforce by national standards.

Entry-level positions in North Dakota typically offer around $15.33 an hour, or about $31,890 a year, for EMTs just starting out. Pay generally rises from there, often reaching around $17.87 an hour, or $37,180 a year, within the first couple of years on the job. From there, many EMTs reach the statewide typical figure of $39,670 a year as they gain experience and certifications.

Experienced EMTs in North Dakota often earn upwards of $24.46 an hour, or around $50,870 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $54,100 a year. That leaves a spread of $22,210 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years on the job, and city tend to separate the two groups more than any single factor. EMTs working in Bismarck or with advanced certifications tend to land at the higher end.

North Dakota EMT pay rose from $29,220 in 2021 to $39,670 in 2025, a gain of $10,450. That works out to a 36% rise over that span, one of the larger increases tracked for the profession in the state. Pay climbed most sharply between 2021 and 2022, then held roughly steady before rising again in 2025.

Nationally, EMT pay rose 25% over a comparable decade, so North Dakota's increase outpaced the country as a whole. Pay in the state has clearly moved upward over the past several years. That trend doesn't guarantee future raises, but it gives someone starting an EMT career in North Dakota now a reasonable basis for expecting pay to keep pace with or exceed national trends.

Pay runs highest in Bismarck, where EMTs earn a figure of $53,940 a year ($25.93 an hour), about 36% above the statewide figure of $39,670. Fargo, the state's other reported metro area, pays $39,160 a year ($18.83 an hour), close to the statewide figure. These city figures reflect the entire metro area around each city, not just the city limits.

Fargo is the lower-paying of the state's two reported cities, though the gap between Bismarck and Fargo comes to $14,780 a year. Bismarck also has the largest EMT workforce among the state's reported cities, at about 80 workers, similar to Fargo's total. Cities with higher pay typically carry higher living costs, so a bigger paycheck in Bismarck doesn't always stretch further than a smaller one in Fargo.

North Dakota's EMT pay falls below Minnesota, where the figure runs $48,090 a year, about 21% higher than North Dakota's. It runs above both South Dakota ($36,800, about 7% lower) and Montana ($36,140, about 9% lower). EMT licensure earned in North Dakota can often be endorsed or transferred into a neighboring state, though requirements vary by state.

EMTs in North Dakota typically earn $39,670 a year today, up 36% over the past several years. That places the state below the national figure but on a clear upward trend. Readers considering the field can check North Dakota's EMS licensing and registry requirements for certification details, and review the Bismarck and Fargo city pages for local pay figures before choosing where to work.