EMT Salary

Baltimore vs Catonsville: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Baltimore, MD and Catonsville, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$51,143
$24.59/hr
Catonsville, MD
$49,108
$23.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDCatonsville, MD
Median Salary$51,143$49,108
Hourly Rate$24.59$23.61
Entry Level (P10)$43,100$39,791
25th Percentile$48,540$42,880
75th Percentile$67,598$55,698
Top Earner (P90)$90,254$66,601
Total Employed2,14010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($51,143) and Catonsville ($49,108) emergency medical technician salaries.BaltimoreCatonsvilleMedian Salary$51,143$49,108Entry Level (P10)$43,100$39,791Top Earner (P90)$90,254$66,601US Median $47,058

Verdict

Baltimore, MD offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Catonsville.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Catonsville is $2,035 (4.14%). Baltimore's median is +8.68% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $47,154,Catonsville spans $26,810. Baltimore has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$43,100
P25$48,540
Median$51,143
P75$67,598
P90 (Top)$90,254
Catonsville
P10 (Entry)$39,791
P25$42,880
Median$49,108
P75$55,698
P90 (Top)$66,601

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($48,947 effective) pays 8.94% more than Catonsville ($44,930 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $51,143
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $48,947
Catonsville
Nominal: $49,108
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $44,930

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,143/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,254)
  • Larger job market (2,140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,947)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Catonsville if…

  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Baltimore grew 30.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 1.1% growth in Catonsville over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+30.6%

$37,000 (2021) → $48,330 (2025)

Catonsville, MD

+1.1%

$45,916 (2024) → $46,407 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Baltimore or Catonsville?

Baltimore has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $51,143/year, compared to Catonsville at $49,108/year — a difference of $2,035 (4.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Catonsville?

Baltimore emergency medical technicians earn $24.59/hr while Catonsville hygienists earn $23.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Catonsville as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Catonsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $48,947, Catonsville = $44,930), job availability (2,140 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Baltimore vs Catonsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $43,100 in Baltimore and $39,791 in Catonsville. The Baltimore 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