EMT Salary

Apache Junction vs Tucson: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Apache Junction, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Apache Junction, AZ
$39,953
$19.21/hr
Tucson, AZ
$41,079
$19.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricApache Junction, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$39,953$41,079
Hourly Rate$19.21$19.75
Entry Level (P10)$32,843$33,503
25th Percentile$35,358$35,905
75th Percentile$43,351$45,153
Top Earner (P90)$52,573$53,122
Total Employed6360
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Apache Junction ($39,953) and Tucson ($41,079) emergency medical technician salaries.Apache JunctionTucsonMedian Salary$39,953$41,079Entry Level (P10)$32,843$33,503Top Earner (P90)$52,573$53,122US Median $47,058

Verdict

Tucson, AZ offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Apache Junction.

The salary gap between Apache Junction and Tucson is $1,126 (2.82%). Tucson's median is -12.71% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Apache Junction spans $19,730,Tucson spans $19,619. Apache Junction has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Apache Junction
P10 (Entry)$32,843
P25$35,358
Median$39,953
P75$43,351
P90 (Top)$52,573
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$33,503
P25$35,905
Median$41,079
P75$45,153
P90 (Top)$53,122

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($42,395 effective) pays 4.52% more than Apache Junction ($40,561 effective).

Apache Junction
Nominal: $39,953
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $40,561
Tucson
Nominal: $41,079
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $42,395

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Apache Junction if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,079/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($53,122)
  • Larger job market (360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,395)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Apache Junction grew -0.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.4% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Apache Junction, AZ

+-0.6%

$37,987 (2024) → $37,756 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+11.4%

$34,840 (2021) → $38,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Apache Junction or Tucson?

Tucson has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $41,079/year, compared to Apache Junction at $39,953/year — a difference of $1,126 (2.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Apache Junction and Tucson?

Apache Junction emergency medical technicians earn $19.21/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $19.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Apache Junction to Tucson as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Apache Junction and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Apache Junction = $40,561, Tucson = $42,395), job availability (6 vs 360 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Apache Junction vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,843 in Apache Junction and $33,503 in Tucson. The Tucson 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