EMT Salary

Davenport vs Muscatine: Emergency Medical Technician Salary (2026)

Compare emergency medical technician salaries between Davenport, IA and Muscatine, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$42,148
$20.26/hr
Muscatine, IA
$41,598
$20.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMuscatine, IA
Median Salary$42,148$41,598
Hourly Rate$20.26$20.00
Entry Level (P10)$37,164$35,394
25th Percentile$39,175$37,376
75th Percentile$50,667$45,981
Top Earner (P90)$62,201$55,397
Total Employed1605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($42,148) and Muscatine ($41,598) emergency medical technician salaries.DavenportMuscatineMedian Salary$42,148$41,598Entry Level (P10)$37,164$35,394Top Earner (P90)$62,201$55,397US Median $47,058

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for emergency medical technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Muscatine.

The salary gap between Davenport and Muscatine is $550 (1.32%). Davenport's median is -10.43% compared to the US national median of $47,058.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $25,037,Muscatine spans $20,003. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$37,164
P25$39,175
Median$42,148
P75$50,667
P90 (Top)$62,201
Muscatine
P10 (Entry)$35,394
P25$37,376
Median$41,598
P75$45,981
P90 (Top)$55,397

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($47,315 effective) pays 2.82% more than Muscatine ($46,015 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $42,148
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $47,315
Muscatine
Nominal: $41,598
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $46,015

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,148/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,201)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,315)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Muscatine if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, emergency medical technician salaries in Davenport grew 38.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 29.3% growth in Muscatine over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+38.5%

$28,760 (2021) → $39,830 (2025)

Muscatine, IA

+29.3%

$30,394 (2024) → $39,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays emergency medical technicians more: Davenport or Muscatine?

Davenport has a higher median emergency medical technician salary at $42,148/year, compared to Muscatine at $41,598/year — a difference of $550 (1.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Muscatine?

Davenport emergency medical technicians earn $20.26/hr while Muscatine hygienists earn $20.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Muscatine as a emergency medical technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Muscatine. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $47,315, Muscatine = $46,015), job availability (160 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level emergency medical technicians earn in Davenport vs Muscatine?

Entry-level (10th percentile) emergency medical technicians earn $37,164 in Davenport and $35,394 in Muscatine. The Davenport 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