EMT Salary

Belton vs Springfield: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Belton, MO
$40,809
$19.62/hr
Springfield, MO
$46,243
$22.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBelton, MOSpringfield, MO
Median Salary$40,809$46,243
Hourly Rate$19.62$22.23
Entry Level (P10)$32,145$39,884
25th Percentile$34,760$42,645
75th Percentile$44,213$51,640
Top Earner (P90)$52,849$62,127
Total Employed6280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Belton ($40,809) and Springfield ($46,243) emergency medical technician salaries.BeltonSpringfieldMedian Salary$40,809$46,243Entry Level (P10)$32,145$39,884Top Earner (P90)$52,849$62,127US Median $47,058

Verdict

Springfield, MO offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Belton.

The salary gap between Belton and Springfield is $5,434 (13.32%). Springfield's median is -1.73% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Belton spans $20,704,Springfield spans $22,243. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Belton
P10 (Entry)$32,145
P25$34,760
Median$40,809
P75$44,213
P90 (Top)$52,849
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$39,884
P25$42,645
Median$46,243
P75$51,640
P90 (Top)$62,127

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($52,202 effective) pays 14.61% more than Belton ($45,546 effective).

Belton
Nominal: $40,809
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $45,546
Springfield
Nominal: $46,243
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $52,202

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Belton if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,243/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,127)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,202)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Belton grew 33.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.3% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Belton, MO

+33.9%

$28,802 (2024) → $38,565 (2025)

Springfield, MO

+10.3%

$39,630 (2023) → $43,700 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Springfield has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $46,243/year, compared to Belton at $40,809/year — a difference of $5,434 (13.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Belton and Springfield?

Belton emergency medical technicians earn $19.62/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $22.23/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Belton and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Belton = $45,546, Springfield = $52,202), job availability (6 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,145 in Belton and $39,884 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