EMT Salary

Alexandria vs Staunton: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Alexandria, VA and Staunton, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alexandria, VA
$51,676
$24.85/hr
Staunton, VA
$45,492
$21.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlexandria, VAStaunton, VA
Median Salary$51,676$45,492
Hourly Rate$24.85$21.87
Entry Level (P10)$40,359$38,709
25th Percentile$44,451$40,233
75th Percentile$59,377$48,476
Top Earner (P90)$74,464$61,682
Total Employed26130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alexandria ($51,676) and Staunton ($45,492) emergency medical technician salaries.AlexandriaStauntonMedian Salary$51,676$45,492Entry Level (P10)$40,359$38,709Top Earner (P90)$74,464$61,682US Median $47,058

Verdict

Alexandria, VA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Staunton.

The salary gap between Alexandria and Staunton is $6,184 (13.59%). Alexandria's median is +9.81% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alexandria spans $34,105,Staunton spans $22,973. Alexandria has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Alexandria
P10 (Entry)$40,359
P25$44,451
Median$51,676
P75$59,377
P90 (Top)$74,464
Staunton
P10 (Entry)$38,709
P25$40,233
Median$45,492
P75$48,476
P90 (Top)$61,682

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Alexandria ($50,074 effective) pays 0.31% more than Staunton ($49,921 effective).

Alexandria
Nominal: $51,676
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $50,074
Staunton
Nominal: $45,492
CoL Index: 91.128
Adjusted: $49,921

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alexandria if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,676/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($74,464)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,074)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Staunton if…

  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Alexandria grew 24.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.1% growth in Staunton over the same period.

Alexandria, VA

+24.3%

$39,274 (2024) → $48,834 (2025)

Staunton, VA

+19.1%

$36,100 (2021) → $42,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Alexandria or Staunton?

Alexandria has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $51,676/year, compared to Staunton at $45,492/year — a difference of $6,184 (13.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alexandria and Staunton?

Alexandria emergency medical technicians earn $24.85/hr while Staunton hygienists earn $21.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alexandria to Staunton as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alexandria and Staunton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alexandria = $50,074, Staunton = $49,921), job availability (26 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Alexandria vs Staunton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $40,359 in Alexandria and $38,709 in Staunton. The Alexandria 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