EMT Salary

Aurora vs Springfield: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Aurora, IL
$42,917
$20.63/hr
Springfield, IL
$40,899
$19.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$42,917$40,899
Hourly Rate$20.63$19.66
Entry Level (P10)$32,630$35,566
25th Percentile$35,280$39,185
75th Percentile$48,560$48,275
Top Earner (P90)$60,744$63,640
Total Employed44110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($42,917) and Springfield ($40,899) emergency medical technician salaries.AuroraSpringfieldMedian Salary$42,917$40,899Entry Level (P10)$32,630$35,566Top Earner (P90)$60,744$63,640US Median $47,058

Verdict

Aurora and Springfield are closely matched on overall emergency medical technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Aurora and Springfield is $2,018 (4.93%). Aurora's median is -8.80% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $28,114,Springfield spans $28,074. Aurora has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$32,630
P25$35,280
Median$42,917
P75$48,560
P90 (Top)$60,744
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$35,566
P25$39,185
Median$40,899
P75$48,275
P90 (Top)$63,640

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Aurora ($44,199 effective) pays 0.23% more than Springfield ($44,098 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $42,917
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $44,199
Springfield
Nominal: $40,899
CoL Index: 92.745
Adjusted: $44,098

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 ($42,917/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,199)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($63,640)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Aurora grew 0.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.0% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Aurora, IL

+0.7%

$40,272 (2024) → $40,557 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+32.0%

$29,270 (2021) → $38,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Aurora has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $42,917/year, compared to Springfield at $40,899/year — a difference of $2,018 (4.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Springfield?

Aurora emergency medical technicians earn $20.63/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $19.66/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $44,199, Springfield = $44,098), job availability (44 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,630 in Aurora and $35,566 in Springfield. The Springfield 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