EMT Salary

Cambridge vs Springfield: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cambridge, MA
$52,225
$25.11/hr
Springfield, MA
$48,254
$23.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCambridge, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$52,225$48,254
Hourly Rate$25.11$23.21
Entry Level (P10)$38,080$42,085
25th Percentile$42,833$45,809
75th Percentile$58,989$53,016
Top Earner (P90)$73,747$57,958
Total Employed22270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cambridge ($52,225) and Springfield ($48,254) emergency medical technician salaries.CambridgeSpringfieldMedian Salary$52,225$48,254Entry Level (P10)$38,080$42,085Top Earner (P90)$73,747$57,958US Median $47,058

Verdict

Cambridge, MA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.

The salary gap between Cambridge and Springfield is $3,971 (8.23%). Cambridge's median is +10.98% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cambridge spans $35,667,Springfield spans $15,873. Cambridge has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cambridge
P10 (Entry)$38,080
P25$42,833
Median$52,225
P75$58,989
P90 (Top)$73,747
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$42,085
P25$45,809
Median$48,254
P75$53,016
P90 (Top)$57,958

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($50,233 effective) pays 4.36% more than Cambridge ($48,134 effective).

Cambridge
Nominal: $52,225
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $48,134
Springfield
Nominal: $48,254
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $50,233

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cambridge if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,225/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($73,747)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,233)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Cambridge grew -3.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 25.4% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Cambridge, MA

+-3.9%

$51,345 (2024) → $49,353 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+25.4%

$36,350 (2021) → $45,600 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cambridge has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $52,225/year, compared to Springfield at $48,254/year — a difference of $3,971 (8.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cambridge and Springfield?

Cambridge emergency medical technicians earn $25.11/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $23.21/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cambridge and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cambridge = $48,134, Springfield = $50,233), job availability (22 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $38,080 in Cambridge and $42,085 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