EMT Salary

Cumberland vs Pawtucket: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Cumberland, RI and Pawtucket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cumberland, RI
$45,011
$21.64/hr
Pawtucket, RI
$47,241
$22.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCumberland, RIPawtucket, RI
Median Salary$45,011$47,241
Hourly Rate$21.64$22.71
Entry Level (P10)$36,240$35,220
25th Percentile$39,131$39,194
75th Percentile$50,886$52,897
Top Earner (P90)$60,771$68,508
Total Employed816
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cumberland ($45,011) and Pawtucket ($47,241) emergency medical technician salaries.CumberlandPawtucketMedian Salary$45,011$47,241Entry Level (P10)$36,240$35,220Top Earner (P90)$60,771$68,508US Median $47,058

Verdict

Pawtucket, RI offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cumberland.

The salary gap between Cumberland and Pawtucket is $2,230 (4.95%). Pawtucket's median is +0.39% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cumberland spans $24,531,Pawtucket spans $33,288. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced emergency medical technicians.

Cumberland
P10 (Entry)$36,240
P25$39,131
Median$45,011
P75$50,886
P90 (Top)$60,771
Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$35,220
P25$39,194
Median$47,241
P75$52,897
P90 (Top)$68,508

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($47,006 effective) pays 4.95% more than Cumberland ($44,787 effective).

Cumberland
Nominal: $45,011
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $44,787
Pawtucket
Nominal: $47,241
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $47,006

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cumberland if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Pawtucket if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,241/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($68,508)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,006)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Cumberland grew 1.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.1% growth in Pawtucket over the same period.

Cumberland, RI

+1.1%

$42,085 (2024) → $42,535 (2025)

Pawtucket, RI

+1.1%

$44,172 (2024) → $44,643 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Cumberland or Pawtucket?

Pawtucket has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $47,241/year, compared to Cumberland at $45,011/year — a difference of $2,230 (4.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cumberland and Pawtucket?

Cumberland emergency medical technicians earn $21.64/hr while Pawtucket hygienists earn $22.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cumberland to Pawtucket as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cumberland and Pawtucket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cumberland = $44,787, Pawtucket = $47,006), job availability (8 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Cumberland vs Pawtucket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $36,240 in Cumberland and $35,220 in Pawtucket. The Cumberland 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