How Much Does an EMT Make in Rhode Island in 2026?

A typical EMT in Rhode Island earns about $24.66 per hour, or $51,290 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that comes to roughly $4,274 a month and $986 a week. These numbers sit in the middle of the pay range, with plenty of EMTs earning more or less depending on experience and location.

That pay runs 15% above the national figure of $44,470 a year (or $21.38 an hour nationally), and Rhode Island ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories on this measure. Around 430 people work as EMTs in Rhode Island, compared with 180,510 nationwide. The gap suggests Rhode Island EMTs are compensated well relative to much of the country.

Entry-level EMTs in Rhode Island typically start around $18.92 an hour, or about $39,360 a year. Within a few years, pay commonly moves up to around $21.37 an hour, or roughly $44,440 a year, as new hires gain experience and certifications. From there, pay continues climbing toward the typical figure of $24.66 an hour.

Experienced EMTs in Rhode Island often earn upwards of $27.17 an hour, or about $56,520 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $29.40 an hour, or $61,160 a year. The spread between entry-level and top pay comes to $21,800 a year. Setting, years on the job, and which city an EMT works in typically account for most of that difference.

Rhode Island's typical EMT pay has climbed from $37,230 in 2021 to $51,290 in 2025, a gain of $14,060. That amounts to a 38% rise over the period. Pay increased each year across that stretch, with no year showing a decline.

Nationally, EMT pay rose 25% over a comparable stretch, meaning Rhode Island's increase outpaced the national trend by a wide margin. Rhode Island added $14,060 in that time, well above what a 25% national rise would suggest for a starting figure near $37,230. For someone starting now, this history shows pay has moved up steadily in recent years, though nothing about future increases is guaranteed.

Pay for EMTs is fairly uniform across Rhode Island's tracked cities. Providence and Warwick, the two metro areas with published figures, both post an annual figure of $47,310 and an hourly figure of $22.75. That is 8% below the statewide figure of $51,290, since city-level figures reflect metro-area medians rather than the state as a whole.

Warwick, the lowest-paying city among those tracked, matches Providence's figures exactly, leaving a city spread of $0. Providence also holds the largest EMT workforce in the state, with 710 people employed in the role. Because pay does not vary much between these two metro areas, cost-of-living differences within Rhode Island appear to play a smaller role than they do between states.

Rhode Island's typical EMT pay of $51,290 a year runs slightly higher than both neighboring states. Connecticut's figure of $50,640 sits about 1% lower, and Massachusetts's figure of $50,230 sits about 2% lower. The gap between all three states is small, generally a few hundred dollars a year. Licensure earned in one of these states can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Rhode Island's typical EMT pay now stands at $51,290 a year, up from $37,230 in 2021, a rise that has outpaced the national trend of 25%. Pay sits well above the national figure of $44,470, ranking 5th among all states. For specific requirements, readers can check Rhode Island's EMS licensing and registry pages, and for local figures beyond the statewide numbers, city-level pages cover Providence and Warwick in more detail.