Emergency Medical Technicians vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nursess out-earn Emergency Medical Technicianss by $53K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Emergency Medical Technicianss land at $44,470 and Registered Nursess at $97,550. The education gap is real: emergency medical technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Emergency Medical Technicianss is Hawaii ($66,410); for Registered Nursess it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Emergency Medical Technicians median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Emergency Medical Technicianss or Registered Nursess?
Registered Nursess earn more nationally. The median is $44,470 for Emergency Medical Technicianss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $53K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Emergency Medical Technicians or Registered Nurses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Emergency Medical Technicians or Registered Nurses?
Emergency Medical Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Emergency Medical Technicianss get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Emergency Medical Technicianss at $66,410/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Emergency Medical Technicians vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Emergency Medical Technicianss earn $66,410 vs. $136,320 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.