EMT Salary

Aurora vs Denver: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Aurora, CO
$47,349
$22.76/hr
Denver, CO
$48,413
$23.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, CODenver, CO
Median Salary$47,349$48,413
Hourly Rate$22.76$23.28
Entry Level (P10)$34,994$41,397
25th Percentile$39,393$42,772
75th Percentile$54,375$52,762
Top Earner (P90)$69,019$61,778
Total Employed541,510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($47,349) and Denver ($48,413) emergency medical technician salaries.AuroraDenverMedian Salary$47,349$48,413Entry Level (P10)$34,994$41,397Top Earner (P90)$69,019$61,778US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Aurora and Denver is $1,064 (2.25%). Denver's median is +2.88% 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,Denver spans $20,381. 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
Denver
P10 (Entry)$41,397
P25$42,772
Median$48,413
P75$52,762
P90 (Top)$61,778

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($45,767 effective) pays 1.49% more than Aurora ($45,094 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $47,349
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $45,094
Denver
Nominal: $48,413
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $45,767

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($69,019)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,413/year)
  • Larger job market (1,510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,767)
  • 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 53.5% growth in Denver over the same period.

Aurora, CO

+-1.2%

$45,288 (2024) → $44,745 (2025)

Denver, CO

+53.5%

$29,810 (2021) → $45,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Denver has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $48,413/year, compared to Aurora at $47,349/year — a difference of $1,064 (2.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Denver?

Aurora emergency medical technicians earn $22.76/hr while Denver hygienists earn $23.28/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Denver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $45,094, Denver = $45,767), job availability (54 vs 1,510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $34,994 in Aurora and $41,397 in Denver. The Denver 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