EMT Salary

Alabaster vs Auburn: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Alabaster, AL and Auburn, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alabaster, AL
$38,891
$18.70/hr
Auburn, AL
$51,016
$24.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlabaster, ALAuburn, AL
Median Salary$38,891$51,016
Hourly Rate$18.70$24.53
Entry Level (P10)$32,288$34,561
25th Percentile$34,653$38,212
75th Percentile$42,426$60,656
Top Earner (P90)$53,946$60,656
Total Employed8110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alabaster ($38,891) and Auburn ($51,016) emergency medical technician salaries.AlabasterAuburnMedian Salary$38,891$51,016Entry Level (P10)$32,288$34,561Top Earner (P90)$53,946$60,656US Median $47,058

Verdict

Auburn, AL offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alabaster.

The salary gap between Alabaster and Auburn is $12,125 (31.18%). Auburn's median is +8.41% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alabaster spans $21,658,Auburn spans $26,095. Auburn has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Alabaster
P10 (Entry)$32,288
P25$34,653
Median$38,891
P75$42,426
P90 (Top)$53,946
Auburn
P10 (Entry)$34,561
P25$38,212
Median$51,016
P75$60,656
P90 (Top)$60,656

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Auburn ($58,017 effective) pays 31.13% more than Alabaster ($44,245 effective).

Alabaster
Nominal: $38,891
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $44,245
Auburn
Nominal: $51,016
CoL Index: 87.933
Adjusted: $58,017

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alabaster if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Auburn if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,016/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,656)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,017)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Alabaster grew 34.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 75.3% growth in Auburn over the same period.

Alabaster, AL

+34.8%

$27,255 (2024) → $36,752 (2025)

Auburn, AL

+75.3%

$27,498 (2024) → $48,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Alabaster or Auburn?

Auburn has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $51,016/year, compared to Alabaster at $38,891/year — a difference of $12,125 (31.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alabaster and Auburn?

Alabaster emergency medical technicians earn $18.70/hr while Auburn hygienists earn $24.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alabaster to Auburn as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alabaster and Auburn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alabaster = $44,245, Auburn = $58,017), job availability (8 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Alabaster vs Auburn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,288 in Alabaster and $34,561 in Auburn. The Auburn area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Mendoza, EMT-BData verified by Fatima Ali, EMT-I

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov