How Much Does an EMT Make in Chesapeake, VA in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs in Chesapeake, from federal wage data (May 2024), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Virginia.
BLS OES May 2024 · Chesapeake
A typical EMT in Chesapeake, Virginia earns $21.67 per hour, or $45,070 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2024). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,756 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $36,770, and the top 10% of earners make over $55,190.
That pay is 1% below the Virginia figure of $45,420 and 1% above the national figure of $44,470. About 630 EMTs work in Chesapeake.
EMT pay in Chesapeake at a glance
- Typical pay is $21.67 an hour, or $45,070 a year.
- That is 1% below the Virginia figure.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $36,770; the top 10% make over $55,190.
BLS OES May 2024
How much does an EMT make in Chesapeake?
Pay in Chesapeake runs from entry-level positions at around $17.68 an hour to more than $26.53 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Virginia and national figures.
EMT pay by career stage in Chesapeake
| Career stage | Chesapeake | Virginia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $36,770$17.68 an hour | $36,540$17.57 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $38,130$18.33 an hour | $38,620$18.57 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $45,070$21.67 an hour | $45,420$21.84 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $48,470$23.30 an hour | $50,390$24.23 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $55,190$26.53 an hour | $59,180$28.45 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 Chesapeake as BLS defines it
How Chesapeake compares with other Virginia cities
Arlington pays EMTs the most in Virginia at $49,250 a year, $4,180 more than Chesapeake. The lowest-paying area in the state is Bristol at $36,680.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Chesapeake | EMTs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arlington | $49,250 | $23.68 | +9% | 1,730 |
| 2 | Blacksburg metro incl. Christiansburg · Radford | $48,320 | $23.23 | +7% | 100 |
| 3 | Richmond | $47,290 | $22.74 | +5% | — |
| 4 | Virginia Beach | $45,900 | $22.07 | +2% | 690 |
| 5 | Staunton metro incl. Stuarts Draft | $42,990 | $20.67 | -5% | 130 |
| 6 | Roanoke | $41,690 | $20.04 | -7% | 170 |
| 7 | Charlottesville | $39,760 | $19.12 | -12% | 130 |
| 8 | Bristol | $36,680 | $17.64 | -19% | 220 |
Every metro area in Virginia with EMT wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Virginia typical pay $45,420
Is Chesapeake a good place to work as an EMT?
EMT pay in Chesapeake sits close to the national figure: $45,070 a year, 1% above the national rate.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Chesapeake, VA?
- A typical EMT in Chesapeake earns $45,070 a year, or $21.67 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2024. Entry-level pay runs about $36,770 and the top 10% earn over $55,190.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Chesapeake?
- Typical hourly pay for EMTs in Chesapeake is $21.67. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $17.68, and the top 10% earn over $26.53 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Chesapeake?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Chesapeake typically offer around $17.68 an hour, or $36,770 a year.
- Is EMT pay in Chesapeake higher than in the rest of Virginia?
- Chesapeake pay is 1% below the Virginia figure of $45,420 a year. Arlington pays the most in Virginia at $49,250.