EMT Salary

Ann Arbor vs Southfield: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Ann Arbor, MI and Southfield, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ann Arbor, MI
$44,455
$21.38/hr
Southfield, MI
$41,197
$19.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnn Arbor, MISouthfield, MI
Median Salary$44,455$41,197
Hourly Rate$21.38$19.81
Entry Level (P10)$40,635$30,566
25th Percentile$41,164$34,100
75th Percentile$48,899$47,636
Top Earner (P90)$49,471$59,478
Total Employed34019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ann Arbor ($44,455) and Southfield ($41,197) emergency medical technician salaries.Ann ArborSouthfieldMedian Salary$44,455$41,197Entry Level (P10)$40,635$30,566Top Earner (P90)$49,471$59,478US Median $47,058

Verdict

Ann Arbor, MI offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Southfield.

The salary gap between Ann Arbor and Southfield is $3,258 (7.91%). Ann Arbor's median is -5.53% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ann Arbor spans $8,836,Southfield spans $28,912. Southfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Ann Arbor
P10 (Entry)$40,635
P25$41,164
Median$44,455
P75$48,899
P90 (Top)$49,471
Southfield
P10 (Entry)$30,566
P25$34,100
Median$41,197
P75$47,636
P90 (Top)$59,478

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Southfield ($44,203 effective) pays 0.31% more than Ann Arbor ($44,067 effective).

Ann Arbor
Nominal: $44,455
CoL Index: 100.88
Adjusted: $44,067
Southfield
Nominal: $41,197
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $44,203

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ann Arbor if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,455/year)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Southfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($59,478)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,203)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Ann Arbor grew 4.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.2% growth in Southfield over the same period.

Ann Arbor, MI

+4.0%

$40,410 (2024) → $42,010 (2025)

Southfield, MI

+10.2%

$35,321 (2024) → $38,931 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Ann Arbor or Southfield?

Ann Arbor has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $44,455/year, compared to Southfield at $41,197/year — a difference of $3,258 (7.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ann Arbor and Southfield?

Ann Arbor emergency medical technicians earn $21.38/hr while Southfield hygienists earn $19.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ann Arbor to Southfield as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ann Arbor and Southfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ann Arbor = $44,067, Southfield = $44,203), job availability (340 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Ann Arbor vs Southfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $40,635 in Ann Arbor and $30,566 in Southfield. The Ann Arbor area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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