EMT Salary

Birmingham vs Phenix City: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Birmingham, AL and Phenix City, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$41,185
$19.80/hr
Phenix City, AL
$39,495
$18.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALPhenix City, AL
Median Salary$41,185$39,495
Hourly Rate$19.80$18.98
Entry Level (P10)$32,540$32,613
25th Percentile$34,095$35,060
75th Percentile$51,312$42,959
Top Earner (P90)$60,656$52,142
Total Employed4207
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($41,185) and Phenix City ($39,495) emergency medical technician salaries.BirminghamPhenix CityMedian Salary$41,185$39,495Entry Level (P10)$32,540$32,613Top Earner (P90)$60,656$52,142US Median $47,058

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Phenix City.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Phenix City is $1,690 (4.28%). Birmingham's median is -12.48% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $28,116,Phenix City spans $19,529. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$32,540
P25$34,095
Median$41,185
P75$51,312
P90 (Top)$60,656
Phenix City
P10 (Entry)$32,613
P25$35,060
Median$39,495
P75$42,959
P90 (Top)$52,142

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($44,940 effective) pays 0.02% more than Phenix City ($44,932 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $41,185
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $44,940
Phenix City
Nominal: $39,495
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $44,932

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,185/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,656)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,940)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Phenix City if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Birmingham grew 33.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in Phenix City over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+33.0%

$29,260 (2021) → $38,920 (2025)

Phenix City, AL

+34.8%

$27,678 (2024) → $37,323 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Birmingham or Phenix City?

Birmingham has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $41,185/year, compared to Phenix City at $39,495/year — a difference of $1,690 (4.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Phenix City?

Birmingham emergency medical technicians earn $19.80/hr while Phenix City hygienists earn $18.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Phenix City as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Phenix City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $44,940, Phenix City = $44,932), job availability (420 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Birmingham vs Phenix City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,540 in Birmingham and $32,613 in Phenix City. The Phenix City area offers higher starting salaries.
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