EMT Salary

Boise vs Pocatello: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Boise, ID and Pocatello, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise, ID
$46,486
$22.35/hr
Pocatello, ID
$45,015
$21.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise, IDPocatello, ID
Median Salary$46,486$45,015
Hourly Rate$22.35$21.64
Entry Level (P10)$32,774$33,911
25th Percentile$37,494$37,611
75th Percentile$53,204$49,684
Top Earner (P90)$67,268$61,217
Total Employed6012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise ($46,486) and Pocatello ($45,015) emergency medical technician salaries.BoisePocatelloMedian Salary$46,486$45,015Entry Level (P10)$32,774$33,911Top Earner (P90)$67,268$61,217US Median $47,058

Verdict

Boise, ID offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pocatello.

The salary gap between Boise and Pocatello is $1,471 (3.27%). Boise's median is -1.22% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise spans $34,494,Pocatello spans $27,306. Boise has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boise
P10 (Entry)$32,774
P25$37,494
Median$46,486
P75$53,204
P90 (Top)$67,268
Pocatello
P10 (Entry)$33,911
P25$37,611
Median$45,015
P75$49,684
P90 (Top)$61,217

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise ($48,779 effective) pays 3.27% more than Pocatello ($47,235 effective).

Boise
Nominal: $46,486
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $48,779
Pocatello
Nominal: $45,015
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $47,235

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,486/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,268)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,779)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Pocatello if…

  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Boise grew 17.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.0% growth in Pocatello over the same period.

Boise, ID

+17.0%

$37,538 (2024) → $43,929 (2025)

Pocatello, ID

+17.0%

$36,349 (2024) → $42,539 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Boise or Pocatello?

Boise has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $46,486/year, compared to Pocatello at $45,015/year — a difference of $1,471 (3.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise and Pocatello?

Boise emergency medical technicians earn $22.35/hr while Pocatello hygienists earn $21.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise to Pocatello as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise and Pocatello. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise = $48,779, Pocatello = $47,235), job availability (60 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Boise vs Pocatello?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $32,774 in Boise and $33,911 in Pocatello. The Pocatello 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