EMT Salary

Boston vs Shrewsbury: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$53,503
$25.72/hr
Shrewsbury, MA
$46,130
$22.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAShrewsbury, MA
Median Salary$53,503$46,130
Hourly Rate$25.72$22.18
Entry Level (P10)$43,471$37,476
25th Percentile$50,444$40,352
75th Percentile$57,767$52,321
Top Earner (P90)$74,413$64,424
Total Employed3,4106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($53,503) and Shrewsbury ($46,130) emergency medical technician salaries.BostonShrewsburyMedian Salary$53,503$46,130Entry Level (P10)$43,471$37,476Top Earner (P90)$74,413$64,424US Median $47,058

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Shrewsbury is $7,373 (15.98%). 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,Shrewsbury spans $26,948. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$43,471
P25$50,444
Median$53,503
P75$57,767
P90 (Top)$74,413
Shrewsbury
P10 (Entry)$37,476
P25$40,352
Median$46,130
P75$52,321
P90 (Top)$64,424

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($49,418 effective) pays 16.23% more than Shrewsbury ($42,516 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $53,503
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $49,418
Shrewsbury
Nominal: $46,130
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $42,516

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 Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury over the same period.

Boston, MA

+34.5%

$37,590 (2021) → $50,560 (2025)

Shrewsbury, MA

+-12.4%

$49,788 (2024) → $43,593 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Boston has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $53,503/year, compared to Shrewsbury at $46,130/year — a difference of $7,373 (15.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Shrewsbury?

Boston emergency medical technicians earn $25.72/hr while Shrewsbury hygienists earn $22.18/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Shrewsbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $49,418, Shrewsbury = $42,516), job availability (3,410 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $43,471 in Boston and $37,476 in Shrewsbury. 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