EMT Salary

Auburn Hills vs Detroit: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Auburn Hills, MI
$40,332
$19.39/hr
Detroit, MI
$44,497
$21.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAuburn Hills, MIDetroit, MI
Median Salary$40,332$44,497
Hourly Rate$19.39$21.40
Entry Level (P10)$30,839$40,614
25th Percentile$33,857$41,069
75th Percentile$45,878$48,688
Top Earner (P90)$56,546$55,132
Total Employed41,450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Auburn Hills ($40,332) and Detroit ($44,497) emergency medical technician salaries.Auburn HillsDetroitMedian Salary$40,332$44,497Entry Level (P10)$30,839$40,614Top Earner (P90)$56,546$55,132US Median $47,058

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Auburn Hills.

The salary gap between Auburn Hills and Detroit is $4,165 (10.33%). Detroit's median is -5.44% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Auburn Hills spans $25,707,Detroit spans $14,518. Auburn Hills has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Auburn Hills
P10 (Entry)$30,839
P25$33,857
Median$40,332
P75$45,878
P90 (Top)$56,546
Detroit
P10 (Entry)$40,614
P25$41,069
Median$44,497
P75$48,688
P90 (Top)$55,132

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Detroit ($44,365 effective) pays 2.52% more than Auburn Hills ($43,275 effective).

Auburn Hills
Nominal: $40,332
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $43,275
Detroit
Nominal: $44,497
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $44,365

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Auburn Hills if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($56,546)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,497/year)
  • Larger job market (1,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,365)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Auburn Hills grew 10.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.3% growth in Detroit over the same period.

Auburn Hills, MI

+10.2%

$34,580 (2024) → $38,114 (2025)

Detroit, MI

+41.3%

$29,750 (2021) → $42,050 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Auburn Hills or Detroit?

Detroit has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $44,497/year, compared to Auburn Hills at $40,332/year — a difference of $4,165 (10.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Auburn Hills and Detroit?

Auburn Hills emergency medical technicians earn $19.39/hr while Detroit hygienists earn $21.40/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Auburn Hills and Detroit. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Auburn Hills = $43,275, Detroit = $44,365), job availability (4 vs 1,450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $30,839 in Auburn Hills and $40,614 in Detroit. The Detroit 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