EMT Salary

Aurora vs Boulder: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Aurora, CO and Boulder, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, CO
$47,349
$22.76/hr
Boulder, CO
$47,259
$22.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, COBoulder, CO
Median Salary$47,349$47,259
Hourly Rate$22.76$22.72
Entry Level (P10)$34,994$41,037
25th Percentile$39,393$41,037
75th Percentile$54,375$52,518
Top Earner (P90)$69,019$62,212
Total Employed54150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($47,349) and Boulder ($47,259) emergency medical technician salaries.AuroraBoulderMedian Salary$47,349$47,259Entry Level (P10)$34,994$41,037Top Earner (P90)$69,019$62,212US Median $47,058

Verdict

Aurora, CO offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Boulder.

The salary gap between Aurora and Boulder is $90 (0.19%). Aurora's median is +0.62% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $34,025,Boulder spans $21,175. Aurora has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$34,994
P25$39,393
Median$47,349
P75$54,375
P90 (Top)$69,019
Boulder
P10 (Entry)$41,037
P25$41,037
Median$47,259
P75$52,518
P90 (Top)$62,212

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Aurora ($45,094 effective) pays 0.38% more than Boulder ($44,922 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $47,349
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $45,094
Boulder
Nominal: $47,259
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $44,922

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,349/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($69,019)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,094)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Boulder if…

  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Aurora grew -1.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.4% growth in Boulder over the same period.

Aurora, CO

+-1.2%

$45,288 (2024) → $44,745 (2025)

Boulder, CO

+21.4%

$36,780 (2021) → $44,660 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Aurora or Boulder?

Aurora has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $47,349/year, compared to Boulder at $47,259/year — a difference of $90 (0.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Boulder?

Aurora emergency medical technicians earn $22.76/hr while Boulder hygienists earn $22.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Boulder as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Boulder. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $45,094, Boulder = $44,922), job availability (54 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Aurora vs Boulder?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $34,994 in Aurora and $41,037 in Boulder. The Boulder 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