EMT in the Far Western U.S.

In its most recent release of occupational statistical data, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that more than 257,000 Americans were working as EMTs (emergency medical technicians) as of May 2024. The six-state Far Western U.S. accounted for a bit less than 26,300 of those EMT jobs. BLS data revealed the Far West to be the best region in the nation for EMT pay, as nearly every state in the region had an annual mean wage level for EMTs that exceeded the national average.  Moreover, four states in the region ranked among the top ten states in the nation for EMT annual mean wages.  A closer examination of May 2024 BLS data shows the following about EMT pay in the Far Western U.S.:

EMT Pay in the U.S. Far West

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AK	290	$59,870	2nd
CA	19,020	$51,830	5th
HI	550	$64,670	1st
NV	1,390	$42,350	26th
OR	1,760	$48,780	12th
WA	3,280	$49,760	9th
U.S.	178,010	$43,914	-------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on June 1, 2026

In the 25-26 USNWR (U.S. News & World Report) ratings of American hospitals, over 800 hospitals were surveyed for their proficiency in delivering cancer care to adult patients.  The study scored hospitals on multiple data points related to their adult cancer programs, including patient outcomes, the scale of their adult cancer care services, and the level of professional recognition a hospital received from the wider cancer care community.  Seven hospitals in the five-state Great Lakes region rated among the top 50 U.S. hospitals for adult cancer care in the 25-26 survey.  Here's a quick view of where these seven Great Lakes region hospitals rated nationally in the 25-26 U.S. News survey for cancer care:

Top Cancer Hospitals in the Great Lakes Region

1. Cleveland Clinic
   Location:  Cleveland
   National Rank:  #14 (See ranking details)
   
   
2. UChicago Cancer Center
   Location:  Chicago
   National Rank:  #12 (See ranking details)
   
   
3. Northwestern Memorial Hospital
   Location:  Chicago
   National Rank:  #17 (See ranking details)
   
   
4. Rush University Medical Center
   Location:  Chicago

   National Rank:  #29 (See ranking details)
   
   
5. University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
   Location:  Ann Arbor, MI 
   National Rank:  #32 (See ranking details)
   
   
6. Ohio State University Cancer Center

   Location:  Columbus, OH

   National Rank:  #35 (See ranking details)
   
   
7. University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center
   Location:  Cleveland
   National Rank:  #48 (See ranking details)
   
   For a closer look into the metrics used to rate adult cancer care hospitals in the 25-26 U.S. News survey, or to find the cancer care rating of other Great Lakes Region hospitals, visit Best Hospitals for Adult Cancer Care.