How Much Does an EMT Make in Altoona, PA in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in Altoona, from federal wage data (May 2024), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Pennsylvania.
BLS OES May 2024 · Altoona
A typical EMT in Altoona, Pennsylvania earns $17.47 per hour, or $36,340 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2024). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,028 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $28,810, and the top 10% of earners make over $45,000.
That pay is 16% below the Pennsylvania figure of $43,310 and 18% below the national figure of $44,470. About 120 EMTs work in Altoona.
EMT pay in Altoona at a glance
- Typical pay is $17.47 an hour, or $36,340 a year.
- That is 16% below the Pennsylvania figure.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $28,810; the top 10% make over $45,000.
BLS OES May 2024
How much does an EMT make in Altoona?
Pay in Altoona runs from entry-level positions at around $13.85 an hour to more than $21.64 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Pennsylvania and national figures.
EMT pay by career stage in Altoona
| Career stage | Altoona | Pennsylvania | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $28,810$13.85 an hour | $34,480$16.58 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $32,820$15.78 an hour | $37,630$18.09 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $36,340$17.47 an hour | $43,310$20.82 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $36,480$17.54 an hour | $47,480$22.83 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $45,000$21.64 an hour | $54,370$26.14 an hour | $62,500$30.05 an hour |
BLS OES May 2024 (the latest vintage BLS published for this area; state and national columns are May 2025) · city figures cover Altoona as BLS defines it
EMT pay growth in Altoona
Typical (median) annual wage for EMTs in Altoona · BLS OES May estimates, 2022 to 2024 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2022, typical EMT pay in Altoona was $29,360 a year. By 2024 it had reached $36,340.
How Altoona compares with other Pennsylvania cities
Philadelphia pays EMTs the most in Pennsylvania at $47,790 a year, $11,450 more than Altoona. The lowest-paying area in the state is Johnstown at $35,300.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Altoona | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $47,790 | $22.97 | +32% | 4,970 |
| 2 | Lancaster | $44,200 | $21.25 | +22% | 320 |
| 3 | Reading | $44,100 | $21.20 | +21% | 330 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh | $43,240 | $20.79 | +19% | 2,000 |
| 5 | Lebanon | $42,440 | $20.41 | +17% | 130 |
| 6 | Allentown | $41,000 | $19.71 | +13% | 670 |
| 7 | Hanover metro incl. York | $39,580 | $19.03 | +9% | 340 |
| 8 | Williamsport | $39,560 | $19.02 | +9% | 110 |
| 9 | Carlisle metro incl. Harrisburg | $39,150 | $18.82 | +8% | 590 |
| 10 | Wilkes | $37,940 | $18.24 | +4% | 480 |
| 11 | State College | $37,800 | $18.17 | +4% | 110 |
| 12 | Erie | $37,650 | $18.10 | +4% | 190 |
| 13 | Chambersburg | $35,800 | $17.21 | -1% | 90 |
| 14 | Johnstown | $35,300 | $16.97 | -3% | 170 |
Every metro area in Pennsylvania with EMT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Pennsylvania typical pay $43,310
Is Altoona a good place to work as an EMT?
EMTs in Altoona earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $36,340 a year, 18% below the national rate.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Altoona, PA?
- A typical EMT in Altoona earns $36,340 a year, or $17.47 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2024. Entry-level pay runs about $28,810 and the top 10% earn over $45,000.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Altoona?
- Typical hourly pay for EMTs in Altoona is $17.47. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $13.85, and the top 10% earn over $21.64 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Altoona?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Altoona typically offer around $13.85 an hour, or $28,810 a year.
- Is EMT pay in Altoona higher than in the rest of Pennsylvania?
- Altoona pay is 16% below the Pennsylvania figure of $43,310 a year. Philadelphia pays the most in Pennsylvania at $47,790.