EMT Salary in Kentucky (2026)
$17.69 per hour · take-home ≈ $30,461/year ($2,538/month) for a single filer
Kentucky ranks 43rd of 51 states for EMT pay, with a median about 16% below the national average. Of the 2,770 EMT jobs BLS counts in Kentucky, the typical worker earns $36,800 a year — though pay ranges from $29,800 for newcomers to $49,950 at the top.
EMT pay range in Kentucky
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $29,800 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $36,800 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $44,380 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $49,950 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,770 EMT jobs in Kentucky (occupation code 29-2042, “Emergency Medical Technicians”).
Gross vs. take-home in Kentucky
A median EMT salary of $36,800 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Kentucky state income tax, a single filer keeps about $30,461 — an effective tax rate of 17.2%.
| Gross (median) | $36,800 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,236 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,815 |
| Kentucky state income tax | −$1,288 |
| Take-home (annual) | $30,461 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,538 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Kentucky paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a EMT make in Kentucky?
- The median EMT salary in Kentucky is $36,800 per year ($17.69 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $31,200 and $44,380.
- What is the take-home pay for a EMT in Kentucky?
- On the median salary of $36,800, a single filer in Kentucky takes home about $30,461 per year ($2,538 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 17.2%.
- How many EMT jobs are there in Kentucky?
- BLS counts 2,770 EMT jobs in Kentucky in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for EMTs
Other salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky.