How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Minnesota in 2026?

A typical Paramedic in Minnesota earns about $36.68 per hour ($76,300 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $6,358 a month and $1,467 a week, calculated from the annual figure. These figures reflect typical pay across experience levels and work settings statewide, from Minneapolis to smaller communities.

Minnesota paramedics earn 26% more than the national figure of $60,600 a year, according to the same May 2025 data. That gap puts Minnesota 6th out of 51 states ranked for paramedic pay. About 1,690 paramedics work in the state, a workforce large enough to reflect pay across hospitals, ambulance services, and fire departments statewide. Higher pay here tracks with Minnesota's cost of living compared with many lower-paying states.

Entry-level positions in Minnesota typically offer around $29.00 an hour, or about $60,320 a year, according to May 2025 wage data. That figure reflects paramedics who are new to the field or working in lower-paying settings. Pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $76,300 a year within a few years on the job. Additional certifications, like critical care paramedic credentials, can speed that climb.

Experienced paramedics in Minnesota often earn upwards of $82,040 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $93,910. That leaves a spread of $33,590 between entry-level and top-earning paramedics in the state. Setting matters: hospital-based and metro-area paramedics tend to out-earn those in smaller rural services. Years on the job, added certifications, and city all factor into where a paramedic lands within that range.

Minnesota paramedic pay rose from $59,800 a year in 2021 to $76,300 in 2025, a gain of $16,500. That's a rise of about 28% over five years, according to government wage data. The increase has been steady each year, with the largest jump coming between 2024 and 2025. That single-year jump accounts for much of the overall five-year gain.

Nationally, paramedic pay rose about 30% over a comparable period, putting Minnesota's 28% increase close behind. Both figures point in the same direction: pay for this work has been moving up in recent years. For someone starting as a paramedic in Minnesota now, that trend doesn't guarantee future raises, but it shows a field where pay has kept climbing rather than stalling.

Minneapolis pays paramedics the most in Minnesota, with typical pay of $77,430 a year ($37.23 an hour), about 1% above the state figure. Duluth follows at $60,010 a year, closer to the statewide entry-level range. These figures reflect the full Minneapolis and Duluth metro areas, not just city limits. Minneapolis is also home to the largest paramedic workforce in the state, with 820 workers.

Onalaska has the lowest typical pay among Minnesota's listed cities, at $59,280 a year ($28.50 an hour). That's a spread of $18,150 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in the state. Smaller cities and rural areas generally cost less to live in, which helps explain why pay runs lower there than in Minneapolis. Paramedics weighing a move should check local pay against local housing and living costs rather than the city figure alone.

Minnesota pays paramedics more than each of its neighbors. North Dakota comes closest at $62,320 a year, 18% below Minnesota's figure, followed by Iowa at $60,590 (21% lower) and Wisconsin at $59,710 (22% lower). South Dakota pays the least at $48,830 a year, 36% below Minnesota. A paramedic license from Minnesota can often be endorsed into a neighboring state's registry, making a cross-border move realistic.

Paramedics in Minnesota typically earn $76,300 a year as of May 2025, up from $59,800 in 2021. That pay sits above the national figure and ranks 6th among the states. For current licensing and registry requirements, check Minnesota's EMS regulatory board page; for pay specific to a city, see the Minneapolis, Duluth, or Onalaska figures on this site.