Emergency Medical Technician salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Emergency Medical Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $44,020 a year ($21.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,610 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,490 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $44,470. Pay here is 4% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $42,260. There are 1.2 emergency medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency medical technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| 25th percentile | $42,140 | $20.26 |
| Median | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| 75th percentile | $57,140 | $27.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,490 | $65.14 |
| Average (mean) | $63,090 | $30.33 |
Half of emergency medical technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,668.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,834.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,693.08 |
| Weekly | $846.54 |
| Hourly | $21.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Emergency Medical Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $46,320 | 1,220 |
| Rockford, IL | $45,760 | 70 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $45,210 | 800 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $42,640 | 260 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $41,910 | 1,550 |
| Kokomo, IN | $41,670 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $41,170 | 90 |
| Bloomington, IL | $41,070 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $39,910 | 750 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $39,830 | 160 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $39,070 | 140 |
| Springfield, IL | $38,650 | 110 |
| Bloomington, IN | $37,970 | 40 |
| Peoria, IL | $37,870 | 450 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $37,440 | 110 |
| Evansville, IN | $37,440 | 120 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $37,140 | 80 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $35,550 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for emergency medical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $66,410 |
| Alaska | $57,440 |
| New Jersey | $53,610 |
| Washington | $52,690 |
| Rhode Island | $51,290 |
| Connecticut | $50,640 |
| Massachusetts | $50,230 |
| Oregon | $49,270 |
| New York | $48,400 |
| Maryland | $48,100 |
See Emergency Medical Technician pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $78,070 | $37.54 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $82,140 | $39.49 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,240 | $24.15 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Paramedic | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| Surgical Technologist | $66,360 | $31.91 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $103,080 | $49.56 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $100,730 | $48.43 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2042. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a emergency medical technician make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for emergency medical technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $44,020 a year, or $21.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency medical technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of emergency medical technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $135,490 a year. The top 25% earn $57,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency medical technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,750 a year, and a quarter of emergency medical technicians earn $42,140 or less.
How many emergency medical technicians work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 5,610 emergency medical technicians are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.