EMT Salary in Illinois (2026)
$20.32 per hour · take-home ≈ $34,044/year ($2,837/month) for a single filer
Illinois ranks 26th of 51 states for EMT pay, with a median about 3% below the national average. Of the 7,840 EMT jobs BLS counts in Illinois, the typical worker earns $42,260 a year — though pay ranges from $36,420 for newcomers to $135,490 at the top.
EMT pay range in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $36,420 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $39,430 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $42,260 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $49,640 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $135,490 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 7,840 EMT jobs in Illinois (occupation code 29-2042, “Emergency Medical Technicians”).
Gross vs. take-home in Illinois
A median EMT salary of $42,260 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Illinois state income tax, a single filer keeps about $34,044 — an effective tax rate of 19.4%.
| Gross (median) | $42,260 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,891 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,233 |
| Illinois state income tax | −$2,092 |
| Take-home (annual) | $34,044 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,837 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Illinois paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a EMT make in Illinois?
- The median EMT salary in Illinois is $42,260 per year ($20.32 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $39,430 and $49,640.
- What is the take-home pay for a EMT in Illinois?
- On the median salary of $42,260, a single filer in Illinois takes home about $34,044 per year ($2,837 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.4%.
- How many EMT jobs are there in Illinois?
- BLS counts 7,840 EMT jobs in Illinois in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for EMTs
Other salaries in Illinois
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Illinois state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Illinois.