EMT Salary

Boston vs Lowell: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Boston, MA and Lowell, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$53,503
$25.72/hr
Lowell, MA
$48,387
$23.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MALowell, MA
Median Salary$53,503$48,387
Hourly Rate$25.72$23.26
Entry Level (P10)$43,471$37,935
25th Percentile$50,444$41,695
75th Percentile$57,767$55,710
Top Earner (P90)$74,413$69,851
Total Employed3,41029
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($53,503) and Lowell ($48,387) emergency medical technician salaries.BostonLowellMedian Salary$53,503$48,387Entry Level (P10)$43,471$37,935Top Earner (P90)$74,413$69,851US Median $47,058

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lowell.

The salary gap between Boston and Lowell is $5,116 (10.57%). Boston's median is +13.70% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $30,942,Lowell spans $31,916. Lowell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$43,471
P25$50,444
Median$53,503
P75$57,767
P90 (Top)$74,413
Lowell
P10 (Entry)$37,935
P25$41,695
Median$48,387
P75$55,710
P90 (Top)$69,851

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($49,418 effective) pays 10.81% more than Lowell ($44,596 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $53,503
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $49,418
Lowell
Nominal: $48,387
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $44,596

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,503/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($74,413)
  • Larger job market (3,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,418)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Lowell if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Boston grew 34.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -12.4% growth in Lowell over the same period.

Boston, MA

+34.5%

$37,590 (2021) → $50,560 (2025)

Lowell, MA

+-12.4%

$52,224 (2024) → $45,726 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Boston or Lowell?

Boston has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $53,503/year, compared to Lowell at $48,387/year — a difference of $5,116 (10.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Lowell?

Boston emergency medical technicians earn $25.72/hr while Lowell hygienists earn $23.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Lowell as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Lowell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $49,418, Lowell = $44,596), job availability (3,410 vs 29 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Boston vs Lowell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $43,471 in Boston and $37,935 in Lowell. The Boston 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